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the Salem Book 



Che Salem Book 



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Records of tbe Past 
and Glimpses of the 
Present « « * * 



Prepared for Publication by a Group of Salem's 
Sons ana Daughters 




Salem, n. V. 
Che Salem Reoiew-Press 



MDCCCXCVI 






( Copyright, 1896 
Harriet M. Williams 

All rights reserved 



Illustrations by T. A. WRIGHT, New York 



D€DT€HtTOn 

« 

to him of airy form, yet venerable mien 
Ulbo, as the "man in gray," time and again was seen, 
Chough curious strangers for bim vainly look — 
the fiistory Committee dedicate this book. 



HISTORICAL COMMITTEE 



Miss Maria R. Audubon 
Mr. Charles D. Broughton 
Miss Mary L. Beaty 
Miss Annie T. Blanchard 
Miss Mary Beattie 
Miss Mary E. Baker 
Miss Lizzie M. Baker 
Mr. William L. Campbell 
Mr. Robert Cruikshank 
Mr. Irving M. Clark 
Miss Jennie M. Connor 
Rev. John F. Donahoe 
Mrs. W. James Doig 
Miss Grace Dunn 
Dr. Asa Fitch 
Hon. Frederick Fraser 
Hon. James Gibson 
Mr. James Gibson, Jr. 
Miss Mabel Gibson 
Mr. Allan J. Holley 
Mrs. Lydia J. Hawley 
Mr. Moses Johnson 
Miss Mamie Johnson 
Mr. John King 
Mr. Bernard C. Kinney 



Miss Fannie King 

Dr. John Lambert 

Mrs. William C. Larmon 

Miss Fannie Leighton 

Miss Helen Lambert 

Dr. Robert McMurray 

Rev. William A. Mackenzie 

Rev. Thomas H. Mackenzie 

Mr. William A. Mackenzie, Jr. 

Mrs. John W. McFarland 

Miss Margaret McFarland 

Mrs. Agnes D. Priest 

Mrs. Abner Robertson 

Rev. James G. Robertson 

Miss Rosena Russell 

Rev. Horace Singleton, D.D. 

Hon. Thomas M. Stevenson 

Rev. Edward P. Sprague, D.D. 

Miss Mary W. Shepard 

Miss Ella Young 

Mr. Charles Whitcomb 

Mr. Tobias A. Wright 

Miss Harriet M. Williams 

Miss Fanny H. Williams 

Mrs. Charles H. Wilson 



ILLUSTRATIONS 



Portrait of Gen. Williams Frontispiece 

Salem, 1895 < )pp. page 2S 

The Williams Home " 191 

Salem in 1795 " 219 

The Old White Church " 231 

Evergreen Cemetery " 247 



CONTENTS 

PAGE 

Introduction 7 

The Scotch-Irish Colony 1 1 

The New England Colony 22 

Interesting Genealogies 28 

Old Families 55 

Salem's Distinguished Sons 69 

The Old White Church 80 

The Brick Church 94 

The Methodist Episcopal Church 105 

A Panorama of St. Paul's 107 

The Catholic Church 109 

The Schools in 

The Press 1 1 7 

Literature 122 

The Poetry of Salem 129 

Music 133 

Industries 135 

Banking 1 4 * 

The Physicians 144 

Bench and Bar 1 54 

Societies 1 59 

The Fire Department 162 

.Salem in the Revolution 165 

Soldiers of the War for the Union 172 

Characteristics 1 79 

Distinguished Visitors 182 

Decorations 185 

Noted Buildings 1 S8 

Old Homesteads 191 

Antique Furniture 195 



CONTENTS— Coxtim i d 

PAGE 

Early Traffic and Travel 198 

Old Time Customs 205 

Fai m Life 208 

Fishing 212 

Holidays 219 

Ghosts 222 

Romances 225 

Brightest and Darkest 1 'ays 227 

Vignettes of Salem Life 231 

Picturesque Salem 240 

' ' Historic Trees 244 

Resting Places 247 



INTRODUCTION 




USING in the twilight, while the lengthening 
shadows of the grand old elms slowly faded from 
the lawn and the twinkling stars gleamed down 
upon the scene of a century's action, the wish 
grew strong in our heart that a story might be 
written of the lives of those who have come and gone 
since Salem was first a home — a story full of romance, truth 
and interest, the reading of which would keep alive in the rising 
generation that nameless feeling of more than pride and affection 
which has ever burned in the hearts of her children. Unlike some 
wishes, this one has become a reality and the pleasing task is already 
engaging the attention of many willing minds and hands. 

The thought is appalling to some that the history of a hundred 
years should be undertaken, but, as the forty members of this com- 
mittee have each to consider but one point, we feel the 
force of the saying, "Many hands make light work" and, with the 
brightest anticipations, are looking forward to grand results from 
these combined efforts. Facts relative to the Scotch and New Eng- 
land colonies will be a suitable opening for our little volume, as 
these left indeed a rich legacy to the "sons" and "daughters" of 
whom mention will be made. "Interesting genealogies" and "old 
families" will naturally ensue. "Churches" and "Schools" must 
claim the next division, for without them "Salem's characteristics" 
can not be clearly shown. "Old-time customs" will astonish the 



8 THE SALEM BOOK 

young, while "anecdotes," grave and comic, will be interesting to all. 
"Literature", "music", "poetry" and "art" will find at last their right- 
ful place in Salem's history. "Ghosts," ancient and modern, will 
show their airy forms and the early "romances" will favorably com- 
pare with those of high-toned fiction. "Ancient homesteads", "an- 
tique furniture" and "public buildings" will arrest the attention of 
some, while others will look for the "excitements" in those days of 
long ago, when there blazed the "fires" that have influenced our his- 
tory so greatly and when the valor of our firemen was so dauntlessly 
displayed. 

One will paint the "brightest and darkest days" and in this con- 
nection we will remember the "heroes of the Revolution" and those 
of later times. "Physicians" and "clergy" will follow this story 
through, for health of body and soul has always through them been 
sought. "Distinguished visitors" will also be recalled and the "dec- 
orations" on public occasions will bring up the name of many an 
old friend. The "industries" of by-gone times will greatly surprise 
us now and the present financial excitement will recall the former 
"exchange". "Country traffic" too will hold its important place and 
"modes of travel" will come down from the hardships of the pillion 
to the fascinations of the bicycle. The "press" and "libraries" will 
go hand in hand and the different "societies" will show their varied 
work. "Picturesque scenery" comes from the pen of an ardent ad- 
mirer and some "historic trees" will claim our veneration. Unlike 
those noble monarchs, our forms will soon be hidden in one of the 
quiet "resting places," but our lives will show whether we, like them, 
have made the most of our favored positions and acquired a person- 
ality that will long be recognized. Each of the foregoing subjects 
has been entrusted to a different writer, and surely at the hands of 
her friends Salem will receive most kindly treatment. 

August, 1S93. 



INTRODUCTION 9 

Such, with a few alterations, is the prospectus of the little history, 
which, two years ago, was eagerly commenced and has only now at- 
tained completion. Enthusiasm in this scheme did not wane, nor 
the purpose falter, but the writers required the force of the press to 
move their unready pens. The Historical Committee is still in ex- 
istence and has itself acquired a history. Pleasant indeed has been 
the intercourse of these friends and the "Salem Book" will long re- 
mind them of sun-lit hours in the Public Library. The writer of 
"Ghosts" was the first to produce her chapter, moved, doubtless, by 
the mesmeric influence of the "Gray Man" whose powers have been 
felt in Salem throughout its existence of more than a century. 

Truly thankful are these amateur writers for all the courtesy and 
assistance received at the hands of Salem's Historian. The Wash- 
ington County History has also lent valuable help. To each and 
all who have sped forward our little book with friendly sympathy 
and kindly aid, the Salem Historical Committee would express their 
warmest gratitude. 

November, 1895. 



THE SCOTCH-IRISH COLONY 



rHE history of the founding of Salem, is in one respect at least 
unique. Salem was not in its origin, like the early towns of 
ew England, homogeneous, the child of a single race ; nor was it, as 
•e the Western settlements of these latter years, cosmopolitan, the 
ision of many races, nations and tongues. Salem was, if the expres- 
on may be admitted, of a duplex origin. It was formed by the 
lion and intermingling of two colonies, reaching this region at ap- 
roximately the same time, but coming altogether independently 
f one another. One colony came hither from New England and 
as of Puritan-Saxon stock. The other came from the coast of the 
forth of Ireland, and in their veins ran Keltic and Gaelic blood, 
ach of these races has many admirable characteristics. Each has 
ad an honorable share in the world's progress. To their harmonious 
lending many of Salem's happiest characteristics are traceable, 
'hits in the very beginning of Salem's history we see the kindly guid- 
lg hand of Providence, leading together, over thousands of miles 
f troubled ocean and trackless wilderness, worthy representatives of 
le two great races whose union in every quarter of the globe has 
roved the signal of glorious triumph, that together they mght lay 
le foundation upon which Salem's prosperity and happiness should 
e built. 

It has seemed appropriate that at the very beginning of this book 
lere should be placed a brief account of the origin and early history 
f each of these colonies. So far as the Scotch-Irish colony is con- 
erned we have found this task done, ready to our hand, in an un- 
ublished manuscript of the learned and honored Asa Fitch, one of 
alem's most illustrious sons. Dr. Fitch prepared for the centennial 
elebration of the "Old White Church," observed in 1867, a historical 
ketch in which he told the story of the origin, wanderings and early 
ettlement of the infant colony to which that venerable church owes 



i2 THE SALEM BOOK 

its existence. Such extracts from the narrative of Dr. Fitch as the 
limitations of this work permit, form the remainder of the present 
chapter. 

It is quite safe to say that there are few religious societies in our 
country which present a history so interesting and abounding with 
such varied incidents as does the "First Presbyterian Church in Sa- 
lem, formerly New Perth", this being its corporate name. This 
church was born and passed the period of its infancy in another hemi- 
sphere, upon the other side of the broad ocean. It owes its origin 
to the "New Light heresies'' as they were called, which were enter- 
tained by the ministers of several of the Presbyterian churches of 
Scotland and Ireland toward the middle of the last century, which 
caused the Associate Church to separate itself from the Established 
Church of those countries. The germ from which the church in Sa- 
lem started we find in the following extract from the minutes of the 
Associate Presbytery of Glasgow. "Near two hundred families of 
Presbyterians in and about Monaghan and Ballibay did about the 
year 1748 leave their former teachers, because they could not find 
themselves edified by them, nor believe some things they taught. 
These families forwarded a petition to the Associate Burgher Pres- 
bytery of Glasgow in Scotland, earnestly soliciting a supply of 
preaching." This and similar petitions came before the Presbytery 
at its meeting in Stirling June 27th, 1749, whereupon the Presby- 
tery appointed Thomas Clark, a probationer who had lately been 
licensed by them, to go as a missionary to Ireland and preach to the 
several congregations which had thus applied to Presbytery. 

Mr. Clark thus became the instrument by which the Salem church 
was first gathered and organized, and subsequently transplanted from 
its original soil; and it was nourished and watered by his ministra- 
tions during the first thirty-three years of its existence, and until it 
had become thrifty, vigorous and self-sustaining. Seldom has a 
church had a founder, a father, so able, so devoted to its service and 
who has done such things for it. 

Dr. Clark immediately upon his appointment retired to Ireland 
and preached his first discourse at Ballibay (the original seat of the 
Salem congregation) on the 3d day of July, 1749, but six days after 
his appointment to that field. He found here a wide sphere of 
usefulness. Some of the ministers of the Synod of Ulster were 
following " New Light " errors, whereby several congregations 
were becoming dissatisfied and solicited Dr. Clark to hold meet- 



THE SCOTCH-IRISH COLONY 13 

ings in their neighborhoods. His preaching was acceptable and 
popular. Large audiences were gathered wherever he made ap- 
pointments. Under his labors, the societies which had been 
formed at Ballibay and Clanerrees each grew to be so strong that 
at a subsequent meeting of the Burgher synod unanimous calls for 
his permanent settlement were presented from both these places, a 
third call being at the same time presented to him from a congrega- 
tion near Perth in Scotland. Dr. Clark decided to accept the call 
from Ballibay. He accordingly was ordained and installed over that 
church by a committee of the Glasgow Presbytery on July 23d, 
1 75 1. Although Dr. Clark was now settled over a particular church, 
his labors were by no means limited to its bounds. Indeed through- 
out his life, wherever he was located, he felt a deep interest in the 
spiritual welfare of the whole country around him, going to differ- 
ent and often distant neighborhoods to preach, wherever a group of 
hearers could be assembled. Because of Dr. Clark's zeal, piety and 
soundness in the faith, the number greatly increased of those who left 
their former teachers and resorted to him, whereby the enmity of his 
opponents became excited to the highest pitch, and they determined 
to leave no stone unturned to break him down and expel him from 
the country. It became known to them that Dr. Clark entertained 
scruples with regard to taking the abjuration oath in the manner 
prescribed by law, namely by kissing the Bible. Therefore by obtain- 
ing a warrant against him as a person disaffected to the government, 
they could have him committed to prison until he should purge him- 
self of disloyalty by taking this oath. It was from the rival Presby- 
terian church in Ballibay that the persecution against Dr. Clark pro- 
ceeded. The plot was kept a profound secret until they obtained an 
opportunity to serve the warrant when Dr. Clark should be at a dis- 
tance from Ballibay — they evidently being fearful that if the attempt 
was made to arrest him there, in the midst of his friends, it would 
cause such excitement, such exasperation and perhaps rioting, that 
the most deplorable consequences might result. It became known 
that Dr. Clark was to preach and moderate a call for a pastor at New- 
bliss, January 23d, 1754, and it was resolved to execute the warrant 
at that time. George Kerr, a member of Mr. Jackson's church, took 
the lead in the proceedings and was accompanied by several others 
of the elders and members. They reached Newbliss when the ser- 
vices were in progress and arrested Dr. Clark just as he had closed 
his sermon. The audience, on learning what was being done, would 



i 4 THE SALEM BOOK 

immediately have rescued him, but he mildly bade them be calm and 
do no harm or violence to any one. All that night he was kept un- 
der guard in a tavern. The next day under a strong guard of horse 
and foot, which Kerr had raised, being fearful of a rescue, he was 
taken, amidst the tears of multitudes along the route, fourteen miles 
to Monaghan jail there to await trial. April 8th, 1754, was the day 
of trial. When the judges examined the warrant upon which he 
was committed they found it defective and ordered his immediate re- 
lease. A new writ was obtained against him April 24th, on which 
he was arrested and again imprisoned. During that summer his 
congregation, residing from eight to eleven miles from the jail, were 
able to repair thither for Divine services upon the Sabbath. Each 
week as many as the space would contain gathered inside the mass- 
ive walls in a dense cluster around the preacher, aged matrons and 
youthful maidens being mingled among the worshippers regardless 
of the dolefulness of the place. Parents brought their infants to 
him in the jail for baptism. Thither also came the betrothed young 
men and maidens to have the marriage ceremony performed. Dur- 
ing Dr. Clark's imprisonment many aged and pious men went down 
to their graves, bewailing their sad case in thus being deprived of 
their beloved pastor's counsels and prayers in their dying hours. 
Among this number was a venerable elder of his church, Elias, 
nephew of Samuel Rutherford, one of the Westminster Assembly of 
Divines. Such a degree of affection as existed between Dr. Clark 
and his flock has few parallels. Scarcely a day passed but he was 
visited by some of his church members, every one taking evident 
pleasure in rendering him any service in his power. We do not find 
any indication of the number of months he remained in prison at 
this time or the manner in which he obtained his release. His mili- 
tary service in which he jeopardized his life in defence of the king, 
and in opposition to the pretender, was an evidence of Dr. Clark's 
loyalty, so much stronger than anything his enemies could adduce 
in proof of theirs, that on coming to know the facts the public would 
naturally be indignant against those who had resorted to such high- 
handed measures; for, after his second release from prison, no fur- 
ther attempts appear to have been made to harass him in the courts 
of law, or otherwise interrupt him in the discharge of his ministerial 
duties. 

The several months' imprisonment to which the arbitrary laws of 
the country had subjected him, because he could not violate the die- 



THE SCOTCH-IRISH COLONY 15 

tates of his conscience, was so vexatious and unjust that it served 
to wean him and a large portion of his flock from their attachment to 
the land of their birth, and to induce them to seek a new home in the 
wilds of America, where they could cherish their religious convic- 
tions, free from the strong arm of civil authority, by which they were 
so stringently restrained in their native land. Preliminary to this 
important step, Dr. Clark had been in correspondence with Hon. 
Robert Harper of Columbia College in the city of New York, and 
had furnished him with the names of one hundred families in the 
North of Ireland who were desirous of coming to America. Mr. 
Harper obtained a warrant from the governor, to survey and lay off 
a tract of forty thousand acres, from the ungranted lands north of 
Kingsbury and Queensbury and around the head of Lake George, 
on which to locate these families. About the same time Dr. Clark 
received letters from two places in America which were desirous of 
obtaining a minister, inviting him to come and settle with them. 
Upon his laying these letters before Presbytery and stating that he 
thought his labors would be more effective in some other place than 
Ballibay, the Presbytery acceded to his wish and appointed him to 
labor one year in America, without dissolving his pastoral relations 
to the Ballibay church. Thereupon he and those who had decided 
to accompany him, made the final arrangements for their departure. 
His last discourse in Ballibay was preached from I Cor. 2:3. "I was 
with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling" — a passage 
which he says, in a letter to them long afterwards, "contains the his- 
tory of my six years sojourning with you. In the following devout 
terms Dr. Clark briefly relates the voyage across the ocean, of the 
"Pilgrim Fathers of Salem.'' "May 10, 1764, we sailed from Newry. 
The all-gracious God carried three hundred of us, safe over the de- 
vouring deep in the arms of his mercy. Praised be his Name! We 
arrived safe at New York July 28th."' 

Upon their arrival in New York,on conferring with Mr.Harper,they 
learned that their title to the tract at Lake George,though not yet fully 
perfected, was so certain that they might consider the land to be theirs. 
They could not however build their cabins until the tract was surveyed 
and marked off into lots, and divided among them so that each man 
would know which portion of the land was his. The company must 
therefore make a tarry somewhere until the tract could be prepared 
for their occupancy. As most of them possessed but limited means 
it became necessary for them to seek employment among the in- 



16 THE SALEM BOOK 

habitants of the settlement nearest their lands, so that they might 
conveniently go to them and make the small improvements required 
before moving their families upon them. While the colony remained 
in New York it would seem that some of them were tampered with 
by some land agent for a tract in Carolina and upon account of his 
representations several families separated from the colony and went 
to the Abbeville District, S. C, where they became settled at Cedar 
Spring and its vicinity. The main body continued together under 
Dr. Clark's guidance and came up the Hudson river with him to 
Stillwater. The arrival of such a number of families in this town, of 
a character so unlike that of other settlers who were locating in the 
country round about, such strict observers of the Sabbath, so ex- 
emplary in deportment, such great readers and so well supplied with 
books, was so extraordinary that it caused quite a sensation. One 
after another of the company found employment among the New" 
England settlers in that town and the Dutch on the opposite side of 
the river in Schaghticoke, so before winter came the most of the 
colonists found places of labor. Some of the company, however, 
passed the first winter after their arrival upon or in the neighborhood 
of the tract at Lake George. They were probably employed in one of 
the parties of lumbermen who were accustomed to pass the winters 
upon the upper parts of the Hudson, obtaining logs for the Still- 
water saw mills. The winter was one of unusual severity; and they 
brought back such a dismal report of the bleak, dreary aspect of that 
rugged, inhospitable region, its vast forests of gloomy hemlocks, the 
deep snows and the intense cold they there encountered, that the 
colony became disheartened and averse to settling there. Dr. Clark 
moreover learned from persons in whose intelligence and judgment 
he confided that the locality was an undesirable one. Therefore al- 
though Mr. Harper on May 15, 1765, obtained a grant of four hun- 
dred acres for each family, they preferred abandoning the tract en- 
tirely. Dr. Clark accordingly examined the lands through all this 
part of the state. In his exploration of the region he visited and 
preached in the spring of 1765 the first sermon ever delivered in the 
town of Salem. James Turner's house was the only one then erected 
in the beautiful valley where the village of Salem now stands. In 
this cabin, upon a Sabbath day Dr. Clark preached to a few indi- 
viduals gathered from the isolated dwellings in this section of the 
country. One of his hearers, the mother of Chief Justice Savage, 
then a girl, in order to be present, had that morning walked seven 



THE SCOTCH-IRISH COLONY 17 

miles, on her way passing but one house with small clearing around it. 
Having spent the summer in traveling to and fro examining the 
numerous tracts of unsettled lands in this section of the state and 
learning the posture in which their titles stood, Dr. Clark's mind be- 
came fixed upon Salem as being the most desirable location for his 
people anywhere to be met with. He learned there was here a tract 
of twenty-five thousand acres which had been granted the year be- 
fore (Aug. 7, 1764) to Alexander Turner and twenty-four others re- 
siding in Pelham, Mass., who had conveyed twelve thousand acres 
of this tract to Oliver Delancy and Peter Dubois, two gentlemen of 
New York City. They had caused the tract to be surveyed and 
marked off into small lots of eighty-eight acres each. Everything 
was thus in readiness for settlers. Dr. Clark desired to make arrange- 
ments with these two gentlemen in New York whereby his com- 
pany of emigrants could immediately come and locate upon these 
lands. On conferring with Delancy and Dubois he appears to have 
experienced some difficulty in persuading them to' make over their 
lands upon such terms as he desired, for though he reached New 
York before the first of September it was not until the thirtieth of 
that month that his business was brought to a close. In the end he 
was highly successful. They conveyed him their twelve thousand 
acres free of any charge for five years, after which time a yearly rent 
of one shilling per acre was to be paid. Before leaving New York 
Dr. Clark had blank deeds printed that he might, in a convenient 
and business like manner, convey his lands to settlers. In these deeds 
the name of New Perth was first bestowed upon the place. It was no 
doubt to attract hither emigrants from Scotland that he selected this 
name, the lands in the vicinity of Perth being unexcelled in fertility 
by any others on the island of Great Britain and the renown of the 
historical incidents associated with this ancient capital of the king- 
dom strongly endearing its name to every Scotchman. The New Eng- 
land settlers who, a few years later, so briskly competed with the 
Scotch and Irish settlers for the ascendancy in the town, ignored this 
name and in their deeds and other documents, the place is called 
White Creek. But having grown to be the most populous place in 
the county the legislature, March 2, 1774, erected it into a township 
named New Perth, thus establishing this as its legal name. This re- 
mained its name until the close of the Revolutionary war when, on 
March 7, 1788, an act was passed dividing the whole state into coun- 
ties and towns, when the name was changed to Salem. 



i 8 THE SALEM BOOK 

Great was the joy of the colony when Dr. Clark returned from 
New York with the tidings that he had obtained the grant of the land 
upon such terms that all might repair thither at once, unhampered 
by the lack of funds and commence the work of clearing and im- 
proving. It was arranged that they should leave their fami- 
lies in Stillwater through the following summer, and that 
the men should come to Salem (thirty miles through 
the forest) as early as possible in the spring, select 
their farms, clear and burn over as much land as possible, in season 
to put in a crop of corn. They would return to Stillwater in mid- 
summer, assist the people there in haying and harvest, and then re- 
turn to Salem, in the autumn, harvest their corn, put in a crop of 
wheat, and build each family a log cabin, into which they might move 
in the spring of the following year. Accordingly, early in the spring 
of 1766, Dr. Clark and a number of the men of the colony came into 
the town. Their first business upon entering the town was to erect a 
log house where they might deposit their provisions and baggage and 
where also they might stay at night, without danger from the wild 
beasts of the forest. This house was also to serve as the future resi- 
dence of Dr. Clark. It was at this time therefore that the first parson- 
age in the town was built. This was the fourth building of any kind 
within the limits of the town. It stood directly opposite the Old 
Burying Ground, the fine spring of water near by causing this site 
to be. preferred. It was in this year also, 1766, that the first meeting 
house was built, the first structure of this kind in the county, and, in- 
deed, in all the region north from Albany to the Canada line. While 
the men were employed in building cabins for their future homes and 
in clearing the ground immediately around these cabins, they upon 
specified days left their cabins and came together to engage in put- 
ting up this house of worship. The site of this first church was a few 
rods south of the "Old Meeting House" which still stands in the 
southern part of the village. The dwelling of Joseph Kelly now oc- 
cupies the spot on which this first meeting house stood. It was 
built of logs and was said to have been the largest log house in all 
the country round about. The road then ran at the foot of the hill 
on the opposite side of the meeting house from where it now passes 
and across this road, opposite to the church, the school house was 
built. The next year, 1767, is the era of the general settlement of 
Salem, the families moving up from Stillwater and oc- 
cupying the cabins that had been prepared for them, so 



THE SCOTCH-IRISH COLONY l 9 

that every district and section of the town became that 
season more or less inhabited. A few families of the 
colony, however, remained in Stillwater and their descend- 
ants are among the most prominent inhabitants of that town unto 
this day. The first family of the company which reached Salem was 
that of John Lytle who arrived May 7th, there being only three fami- 
lies then settled in the town, viz. : James Turner, already mentioned, 
who lived upon the present site of the Ondawa House, Joshua Con- 
key who lived at the distance of about a mile from Mr. Turner up 
White Creek, and David Webb, who lived south of the village. Ham- 
ilton McCollister was also here, at that time a single man, clearing a 
farm for his future residence. 

Before the end of May such a number of families had arrived that 
divine worship in the meeting house was commenced. There were 
none of the formalities of organizing a church. No admission of mem- 
bers or election of trustees. The company was already a perfectly or- 
ganized religious society with its pastor, its elders, its members, all 
regularly constituted. Dr. Clark had never resigned, nor had the Pres- 
bytery released him from his pastoral charge over these people. Their 
church membership had never been interrupted. They took no let- 
ters of dismission to join another church. He was their pastor; they 
were his flock. The same relations existed between them in Amer- 
ica as in Ireland. We doubt if any other religious society has been 
transferred from the Old to the New World in a manner so regu- 
larly and orderly, and with so little to vitiate its title to a continuous 
identity. When the Pilgrim Fathers of New England crossed the 
ocean their pastor remained behind, and the only one with them who 
had any official authority to act as their spiritual leader was an elder. 
The regular ordinances of worship were thereby of necessity inter- 
mitted for several years. Under different circumstances from these 
Dr. Clark's colony came across the ocean and arrived in Salem. 
The preaching of the Word on the Sabbath, and the administration 
of the Sacraments were regularly continued during the three years 
of their pilgrimage with only such occasional interruptions as were 
at times unavoidable. Thus they came into this town a fully and 
perfectly organized church, with its pastor, its elders to the number 
of five or more, and more than two hundred members, of whom 
probably one-fourth were baptized children. 

As the five years that the colony were to have the lands 
free of any charge would terminate in 1770, after which the 



2o THE SALEM BOOK 

yearly rent of a shilling per acre would begin, it was import- 
ant that they should have the lands fully settled before that time, 
since every lot which then remained vacant would become a 
charge upon them of eleven dollars. To procure settlers, Dr. 
Clark corresponded with his friends in Scotland and Ireland, and 
one of the congregation revisited his native land to inform his 
acquaintances more fully of the advantages which were here pre- 
sented to settlers. Hereby the population of the town rapidly in- 
creased and the church received large accessions to its membership. 
The log church was so inconvenient, and it was so fatiguing to the 
congregation to be cooped up within its rough, hard benches during 
the two long sermons, such as were customary at that period, that 
it appears to have been occupied only during the winters and upon 
stormy Sabbaths in the summers. 

It was so much more comfortable and pleasant for the worship- 
pers to be out in the open air, that upon fair days the meetings were 
commonly held at the spring on the opposite side of the road from 
the parsonage, where there was an attractive open grove, most of the 
original trees having been cut away in obtaining materials for build- 
ing the parsonage. Here the preacher stood beneath a small tent, 
open upon one side and shading him from the sun, with the Bible 
and Psalm Book placed upon a stand covered with white cloth, and 
with the audience clustered upon the rising ground in front of him, 
sitting upon the shelving ledges of the rocks and the stumps of the 
recently cut trees. The church being so inadequate for accommo" 
dating the congregation, the society within a few years erected by 
the side of it a large, comfortable and commodious building namely, 
"The Old Meeting House" which is still standing though it has long 
since become private property and its interior has been divided by 
partitions to adapt it for family residences. This framed church was 
erected and occupied before the Revolutionary war. It was the first 
framed building in this section of the country, two large houses 
which had been put up as barracks and storehouse at Fort Edward, 
being the only framed structures in the county previous to it. When 
first erected it was so large and so well built, that it was looked upon 
as being quite a magnificent edifice, and over all the country for 
thirty miles around or more, the New Perth meeting house was a cur- 
rent subject of conversation. The sessions of court after the break- 
ing out of the war of Independence were held in this building until 
the erection of a permanent court house. 



THE SCOTCH-IRISH COLONY 21 

The latter history of the colony is so interwoven with the history 
of Salem, that it properly falls into the latter chapters of this book. 
Enough has been already related to illustrate the steadfast fidelity, 
unswerving faith, and indomitable energy that animated these early 
pioneers and to demonstrate that their labors were not in vain. 



22 THE SALEM BOOK 



THE NEW ENGLAND COLONY 



The first settlement of what is now known as the town of Salem 
links itself with central and western Massachusetts, and the New 
England life and thrift thus transplanted hither has never ceased to 
he a present and potent factor in all the character and progress of 
the place. While another element, a colony larger in numbers and 
more complete in organization, followed very close upon the Massa- 
chusetts people, the New Englanders were the first in occupancy. 
They were the original settlers of the town, and theirs was the first 
continuous settlement in the entire county. 

Early in the year 1761, James Turner and Joshua Conkey, who 
had perhaps traversed the region before, visited this county and de- 
cided on this as the place of their future residence. They returned 
to their old home in Pelham, Mass., for the winter, and then came 
here again the following spring, bringing with them Hamilton Mc- 
Collister; ajnd erected their first house, cabin rather, on the ground 
where the On-da-wa House now stands. After two years, the sum- 
mers of which were spent here and the winters in Pelham, these 
three men removed their families hither in the spring of 1764, and 
made this place thereafter their permanent home. These three fami- 
lies, Turner, Conkey and McCollister, were thus the original settlers, 
and this date, the spring of 1764, the time of the original settle- 
ment of this place. 

During the succeeding years some twenty, or more, families fol~ 
lowed these pioneers, families like them in character and blood, and 
from the Massachusetts towns of Pelham, Colerain, Sturbridge and 
vicinity. These with still later additions, largely from much the 
same region, constituted what became distinctively known as the 
"New England Colony", and were the founders of the present First 
Incorporated Presbyterian Church of Salem. This church origi- 
nated here, was the first of its ecclesiastical order in this region, and 
was the first church of any kind actually and originally organized 
within this county. The first sermon ever preached in Salem was 
delivered by Dr. Clark, while visiting here, in the cabin of James 
Turner; the first child of white parents born in this place was Alex. 
J. Turner, and the second, John Conkey. 



THE NEW ENGLAND COLONY 23 

The grant from the government, under which the New England 
colony held their land, was given August 7th, 1764, in answer to a 
petition presented in January of the year previous, and conveyed to 
Alexander and James Turner, and twenty-five citizens of Pelham, 
Mass., 25,000 acres, under probably the usual terms of an annual 
quit rent of two shillings for each one hundred acres, reserving all 
mines and large pine trees to the Crown. The patentees, however, 
found it wise, or necessary in procuring this grant to convey by deed 
an undivided half to Oliver De Lancey and others connected with 
the colonial government. This half, which by some unconscious 
satire was called "the gentlemen's tract", was the portion which was 
bought a year later by Dr. Clark and his colony. The whole tract 
conveyed by the grant was divided into 304 lots, of eighty-eight 
acres each, and as Dr. Clark's colony had purchased an undivided 
half, these lots were distributed by lot between the settlers from New 
England and from Scotland, each party having first given three lots 
for religious and educational purposes. 

While the two colonies were thus intermixed in settlement, and 
while the most friendly and neighborly relations existed between 
them from the first, as in fact, ever since, still something of 
healthy rivalry existed also, and there was a wider separa- 
tion in matters of religion, resulting eventually and naturally in the 
two churches, distinguished for a generation as the "New England" 
and the "Scotch congregation". The very name of the place was 
for a long time in dispute between them, the New England people 
calling it "White Creek" and the Scotch "New Perth". So decided 
was the pertinacity with which each side clung to its chosen name 
that, as Dr. Asa Fitch relates, when one of the proprietor's agents 
conveyed a piece of land, and used in the deed the name "White 
Creek", the Scotch purchaser refused to recognize the name, and 
as a compromise the name "Turner's Patent" had to be substituted. 

The New England people worshipped at first very generally with 
the Scotch congregation, and probably united with them in the con- 
struction of their first church building, yet they never abandoned 
their purpose of a distinct religious organization. The first step 
toward this was the pledging the three town lots, from their half, 
"for the maintenance of a regular gospel minister". Two years 
later, in 1769, their church was organized with fifty-two members, 
Alexander Turner, Edward Savage and Daniel McCleary being 
elected elders. Following this organization of a distinct church and 



24 THE SALEM BOOK 

after an unsuccessful attempt to have Dr. Clark installed as 
pastor over both congregations, the Massachusetts people proceeded 
to erect for themselves, in T774, their first house of worship. 

This church building, which was never completed, stood on the 
rune lot that the present "Brick Church" now occupies, a part prob- 
ably of Hamilton McCollisters original tract, which was afterwards 
purchased by Gen. John Williams, who on October 25, 1797, exe- 
cuted a deed of confirmation conveying the title for this lot for the 
sum of one dollar to the trustees of the church. The construction 
of this, their earliest church, was a serious undertaking for the people, 
who had little money to give, but contributed materials as they were 
able, and freely added their own labor. The late William McCollis- 
ter, son of the original settler of that name, has frequently related to 
the writer his father's labor in transporting materials for this, or 
more probably for the subsequent frame building from Albany. 
These supplies were brought in wagons, and the crossing of the Hud- 
son river was made at Schuylerville. The driver would stand above 
the wagon with one foot on each sideboard, driving the horses into 
the water. The horses would wade as far as possible, then swim the 
rest of the way across, drawing the floating wagon behind them, 
the driver from his position directing their course. 

This early church building, although never completed, was used 
by the people for worship once, at least, when only the roof was on, 
and repeatedly while there was no floor, and of course no perma- 
nent benches. It then served its noble use in defence of the people, 
and was destroyed on account thereof. 

In 1777, at the time of Gen. Burgoyne's invasion, the people of 
this place felt the need of some safe stronghold for defence and 
refuge, and it was decided to use the incomplete New England 
church for this purpose. The people assembled and took the tim- 
bers of the old Scotch log church, cut them into lengths of about 
twelve feet, and carrying them on their shoulders (for there was no 
wagon in the village till some ten years later), planted them in a 
trench around the New England church, at a distance of about sixty 
feet from its wall, thus forming a stockade about nine feet high. 
They also built ovens for provisioning the troops. This stockade 
fort, which was completed July 26, 1777, was first called the Salem 
Fort, and then afterwards Fort Williams, in honor of Gen. Williams, 
then a prominent member of the New England congregation, whose 
influence and activities effected so much for this place. This prim- 



THE NEW ENGLAND COLONY 25 

itive fort served its purpose for only a brief time. It was burned 
early in the autumn following, probably during the last days of Au- 
gust, 1777, presumably by some of the tories, and not by any sol- 
dier, the old records of the church, since destroyed, describing it as 
done "by some domestic rather than foreign enemy". 

It is related of Col. Joseph McCracken, a prominent member of 
the New England congregation, who was the commander of the 
troops stationed for a time in this fort, as illustrating his enthusi- 
astic devotion to his commander-in-chief, that at one time his pas- 
tor, the Rev. Samuel Tomb, in conversation with him spoke of King 
David as one of the greatest warriors, when the old veteran broke 
out in reply, "Yes, Samuel, David was a great warrior; but he was 
not any greater than George Washington." 

During the next few years the people were too poor, in 
consequence of all they had lost and suffered in the war, 
to make any strong effort towards rebuilding their house 
of worship. Their second church was probably not erected 
before 1783 or 1784. In the year 1779, however, they 
made two ineffectual attempts to secure help towards such 
a work, drawing up two petitions, to the legislature of 
New York ; in the first of which they asked that certain moneys, aris- 
ing from the sale of cattle and carriages confiscated from the Tories, 
and amounting to two hundred and ninety-three pounds seven 
shillings, be appropriated for the rebuilding their meeting house; 
while in the second, after recounting how their house of worship 
had been used "as a barrack for our troops", "stockaded in for that 
purpose," "burned by the enemy", "and our congregation having 
suffered greatly by the ravages of the enemy, being universally and 
exceedingly attached to the cause of their country," etc. They asked 
for "leave to erect a lottery for the raising a sum sufficient to build 
a new church and a parsonage house." 

A number of attempts appear to have been made between the 
years 1778 and 1783 to unite the two colonies here in one religious 
organization, but nothing resulted from these efforts; and in Au- 
gust, 1785, the New England congregation called the Rev. Justus 
Mitchell as pastor. This effort failing, on September 2.7, 1787, 
they voted to call the Rev. John Warford of Amwell, N. J., who began 
his labors here in 1788, and thus was the first installed pastor of the 
First Presbyterian, or as it was commonly called the "New Eng- 
land" congregation. The call for Mr. Warford, which is still extant, 
3 



26 THE SALEM BOOK 

promises to pay him the annual salary of one hundred and twenty 
pounds New York currency, to build him a convenient parsonage, 
give him the use of 176 acres of the glebe lands, and to pay into the 
Widows' Fund 116 pounds, 13s. and 4± Proclamation money. 

Any further history of the New England colony, fifty years after 
their first settlement here, would be largely a history of the First 
Presbyterian church, and so out of place in this present chapter. 
The descendants of the first settlers continued the traits, and per- 
petuated the traditions of their ancestors. Still other families came 
hither from Massachusetts and Connecticut, and the New England 
element has always been prominent in this village; but while the 
two churches have always remained distinct, the two colonies became 
more and more merged into one socially, and in all civil relations 
until there can be no separate account given of each, but simply that 
which includes, and does honor to both alike, the history of the 
pleasant and prosperous village of Salem. 

Two items, however, which are connected with the church may 
be of interest, one as showing the early attitude of the New England 
people on the temperance question, and the other as connecting the 
present with the long past. 

When the new church, which in turn was burned four years later, 
was to be built in 1836, the articles of agreement with the contrac- 
tor specified, "that no ardent spirits or strong drink shall be brought 
upon the premises by any person in employment on the job, and 
that he shall in all reasonable ways discountenance his workmen 
from the use of intoxicating drinks". The trustees' records also 
show the following in the handwriting of Mr. Joseph Hawley: "It 
may be proper to record that the roof of the church was raised the 
22d of September, 1836, without accident or injur}- to anyone, and 
without using any ardent spirits"'. The other item refers to the 
present bell in the Brick church. The metal of the original bell, 
which hung in the steeple of the old frame church, has passed 
through two fires, and now, with certain needful additions to its 
amount, still rings out each Sunday to call the people to divine wor- 
ship. 

A full list of the early members of the New England colony can- 
not here be given, but a few names deserve mention as a fitting close 
for this chapter. First of all Alexander Turner, Joshua Conkey 
and Hamilton McCollistcr, the three original pioneers: then Dr. 
(more commonly known as Gen.) John Williams, so prominent in 



THE NEW ENGLAND COLONY 27 

all the early history of this region : John Savage with his sons Ed- 
ward and James, Robert Stewart, Moses Martin, Gideon Safford, 
William Brown, Joseph McCracken, who lost an arm in the battle 
of Monmouth, John Gray, Ebenezer Russell, Dr. Peletiah Fitch, 
father of the well-known Dr. Fitch and grandfather of the equally 
well-known Dr. Asa Fitch, Jr., Benjamin and Job Cleveland who 
came from Rhode Island, and Major Stephen Clapp from Connecti- 
cut before or during the Revolutionary war, Zaccheus Atwood, 
Hugh and James Moor, brothers, who are said to have been one a 
loyalist and the other a federalist, and John Honeywood, poet, 
painter and clerk. Of many of these the descendants are still living 
in Salem, repeating, we trust, their virtues as well as perpetuating 
their names. 



28 THE SALEM BOOK 



INTERESTING GENEALOGIES 

"Antiquity, thou wondrous charm, what art thou, that being noth- 
ing art everything? When thou wert, thou wert not antiquity, then 
thou wert nothing.'' — Charles Lamb. 

To the thoughtful mind anything which bears the mark of age is 
sure to possess a peculiar interest. Particularly among people of 
education and culture there exists a taste for all things connected 
with the past. The increased attention paid to genealogies in our 
own country bears witness to a marked change in the popular mind 
regarding this long-neglected subject. 

Under the head of interesting genealogies it is proposed to give 
a brief account of the ancestry of some of the earliest families of 
Salem. So far from being complete, however, the limits of the work 
effectually preclude any comprehensive discussion of the subject. 

THE WILLIAMS FAMILY 

I. General John Williams, born in Barnstaple, Devonshire, Eng- 
land, in 1752. He became a surgeon 'and in 1773 settled in Salem, 
where he practiced his profession. In the Revolution he served as 
brigadier-general and after the war was member of the legislature 
of New York, judge of the County Court for twenty-five years and 
member of congess from 1792 to 1796. 

He married, first, Mrs. Susannah Thomas Turner, widow of 
James Turner. 

His second wife was Mrs. Mary Townley of New York City. 
His children, all by his first wife, were: 
John. 

Susan, Married Rev. Alexander Proudfit, D. D. 
Elizabeth, married Ebenezer Proudfit. 
Maria, married Hon. Anthony I. Blanchard. 

II. Colonel John Williams, born in Salem. He commanded 
the Washington county regiment of cavalry. 

He married Ann, daughter of Colonel George Wray, of Fort 
Anne. 



Is 




INTERESTING GENEALOGIES 29 

Their children were: 
John. 
Mary, married Rev. George W. Bethune, D. D. 

III. John Williams, born in Salem, N. Y. He married Harriet 
Byron Martin. 

(First Generation. William Seaborn Martin, born in 1650, died 
in 1 71 5. He married in 1685, Abigail Curtiss, who was born in 
1671, and died in 1735. 

Second Generation. Samuel Martin, born in 1693. He married 
Annis Hinman. 

Third Generation. Nathan Martin, born in 1735, died in 1794. 
He married Ellen Bradley. 

Fourth Generation. Thaddeus Martin, born in 1779, died in 1826. 
He married Mehitable Throop, daughter of George Bliss, who was 
adopted by his uncle Benjamin Throop, and took the name Throop. 

First Generation. Jonathan Bliss of Belstone Parish, Devon- 
shire, England. He was a Puritan and persecuted for his religion 
under Archbishop Laud and was finally compelled to sell the estate 
which had belonged to his family for two centuries and spent the 
remainder of his life with his daughter, Lady Calcliffe, who was an 
Episcopalian and so able to afford him protection. His children 
were: 

Jonathan, died in 1635. 

Thomas, born about 1580, died in 1640. 

Elizabeth, married Sir John Calcliffe of Belstone. 

George, born in 1591, died August 31st, 1667. 

Mary. 

Second Generation. Thomas Bliss, of Braintree, Mass., and af- 
terwards of Hartford, Ct, born 1580, died 1640. He married while 
in England Margaret Lawrence. 

Third Generation. John Bliss, born at Hartford in 1640, died 
September 10th, 1702. He married Patience, daughter of Henry 
and Alslia Burt, of Springfield. Henry Burt settled in Springfield 
in 1638, and became clerk of the writs. 

Fourth Generation. John Bliss, of Enfield, Ct., and one of the 
first settlers of Lebanon, Ct, born September 7th, 1669, died in 1747. 
He married January nth, 1793, Anna Terry. 

Fifth Generation. John Bliss, of Lebanon, Ct, born December 
25th, 1695, married Hannah Ticknor. 



30 THE SALEM BOOK 

Sixth Generation. John Bliss, bom at Lebanon, Ct, May 26th, 
1726. 

Seventh Generation. George Bliss Throop, born about 1760. 
He was adopted by his uncle, the Rev. Benjamin Throop, of Boy- 
rah, Ct. He married Abiah Thompson. 

First Generation. Anthony Thompson. He came to America 
with his wife and two children from Coventry, England, in 1637. In 
1638 he settled at New Haven, where he died March 23d, 1647. 

Second Generation. Captain John Thompson, a sea captain, died 
June 2 1st, 1707. 

Third Generation. Samuel Thompson, born May 12th, 1669. 
He married Rebecca, youngest daughter of James Bishop. Hon. 
fames Bishop was Secretary of the colony in 1651, Representative 
in 1666, Assistant in 1668, Deputy Governor from 1683 till his 
death, June 22d, 1691. 

Fourth Generation. Enos Thompson, the youngest son of Sam- 
uel and Rebecca Bishop Thompson, was born August 8th, 171 7. 
He removed from New Haven to Stamford, Dutchess Co., N. Y., 
where he and his brother were members of the Vigilance Committee 
during the Revolution. 

Fifth Generation. Abiah Thompson, married George Bliss 
Throop in 1783. She died in 1846. Their daughter, Mehitable 
Throop, married Thaddeus Martin. 

Fifth Generation. Harriet Byron Martin, born in 1814. She 
married John Williams, Jr., a man whose memory will be cherished 
as long as any of those who are old enough to have known him are 
left in life. Besides his wealth, family connection and social posi- 
tion which brought him into special prominence, he was endowed 
with many other, and more important characteristics which make 
his memory peculiarly interesting and fragrant. Amidst all the al- 
lurements and temptations incident to his station in life, he was 
noted for his outspoken and consistent religious character. His 
chosen associates were the people of God. His benevolence was 
everywhere recognized. Without attempting an extended analysis 
dl Mr. Williams' character, it is sufficient to say that in the fullest 
meaning of the term his life was a "living epistle known and read of 
all men." His influence and example were a daily benediction to 
all with whom he came in contact. "The righteous shall be in ever- 
lasting remembrance". His children were: 
/ SI, John Martin Williams. 



INTERESTING GENEALOGIES 31 

Harriet M. Willams. 
Fanny H. Williams. 

"iV. John Francis Williams, born in Salem. He was a pupil at 
St. Paul's School, Concord, N. H., from 1874 to 1880, when he en- 
tered the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, N. Y., from which 
he graduated in 1883 with the degree of Civil Engineer. In 1885 he 
received the degree of B. S. In 1884 he entered Georgia Augusta 
University, Gottingen, and from there graduated three years later 
with the degree of Ph. D. 

On his return to America he was made honorary fellow of Clark 
University, and soon afterward was appointed to a position in Cor- 
nell University. In 1890 there was published, in the Report of the 
United States Geological Survey, a very scholarly work of his on the 
Igneous Rocks of Arkansas. In making the survey, from which he 
gathered materials for this treatise, he contracted the fatal disease 
of malaria, which ultimately brought about his untimely death. 

Dr. Williams was a member of the American Association for the 
Advancement of Science, of the American Institute of Mining En- 
gineers, of the Norske Turistforenings of Christiania, Norway, and 
of the German Chemical Society, of Berlin. 

THE FITCH FAMILY 

I. Rev. James Fitch emigrated from Braintree, Eng., in 1638, in 
company with his four brothers and their widowed mother. He 
was pastor of the church in Saybrook, but removed from there with 
the greater part of his congregation and founded the city of Norwich 
where he was minister for thirty years. He married first, Abigail, 
daughter of Rev. Henry Whitfield, and had by her six children. He 
married, second, Priscilla, daughter of Maj. Gen. John Mason. (For 
account of General Mason see Gibson Genealogy.) 

II. Samuel Fitch, son of James and Abigail Whitfield Fitch. 
He married Mary Brewster. 

(First Generation. William Brewster, born at Scrooby Manor, 
Nottinghamshire, Eng., in 1560. He was educated at Cambridge 
University, soon after leaving which he became attached to the Court 
in the capacity of page to William Davison, secretary of state to 
Queen Elizabeth. For several years Brewster's life was spent mainly 
abroad, as his patron was frequently engaged in foreign missions. 
He enjoyed the confidence of his master to an unusual degree, and 
remained with him till he lost his sovereign's favor. After Davison's 



32 THE SALEM BOOK 

fall he retired to Scrooby Manor, where he resided during the next 
twenty years. Here was formed the nucleus of the famous Band of 
Pilgrim Fathers, who later were to seek a home in the New World. 
Under the leadership of Brewster the congregation of dissenters at 
Scrooby withdrew to Holland to escape persecution, and finally de- 
parted for New England, where they arrived in 1620. Elder Brew- 
ster died in 1644. 

Second Generation. "Jonathan Brewster gentleman", as he is 
styled in the colonial records, came with his father in the "May- 
flower'' and became an influential member of the colony. 

Third Generation. Benjamin Brewster, of New London in 1654. 

Fourth Generation. Mar}- Brewster, married Samuel Fitch.) 

III. Jabez Fitch. 

IV. Hon. Peletiah Fitch came to Salem with his family in 1779. 
He had previously lived in Groton, Ct, and had been prominent as 
a physician and surveyor, also holdng the office of justice of the 
peace. Before coming to Salem Dr. Fitch moved first to Hali- 
fax, and had been appointed by Gov. George Clinton, judge of the 
Cumberland County Court. In Salem he was appointed, along 
with General Williams, one of a "commission for detecting conspir- 
acies against the liberties of America'', and was one of the foremost 
patriots of the town during the Revolution. He died April 16th, 
1803, at the age of eighty-one. 

V. Hon. Asa Fitch, M. D., born in Groton, Ct, November 10th, 
1763, died August 24th, 1843. He served in the War of the Revo- 
lution and after its conclusion studied medicine under his father. 
About 1795, he purchased in this town the property, which has since 
been known as Fitch's Point, and acquired a large practice. In 
1799, Dr. Fitch was appointed Justice of the Peace, and, after serv- 
ing in that position eleven years, he was elected Member of Con- 
gress, continuing in office from 181 1 to 1813. At the expiration of 
his time in congress, Dr. Fitch was appointed a county judge, and 
served in this capacity for the succeeding fifteen years. In the lat- 
ter part of his life the honorary degree of M. D. was conferred on 
him by the Regents of the University of the state of New York. 

VI. Asa Fitch, M. D., born in Salem February 24th, 1809. He 
was educated at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Vermont 
Academy of Medicine, and the Rutgers Medical College of New- 
York City, from which last named institution he graduated in 1829. 

Dr. Fitch became one of the most distinguished entomologists of 



INTERESTING GENEALOGIES 33 

his time, and was the author of many scientific treatises. He was a 
member of the entomological societies of France and Russia, and 
was gold medallist of the Imperial Central Agricultural Society of 
France. 

THE GIBSON FAMILY 

I. James Gibson, of Argyleshire, Scotland and Londonderry, 
Ireland, married Agnes Campbell. 

(First Generation. Robert Campbell, born 1673, settled at New 
London in 1719. 

Second Generation. Dr. John Campbell, born in Ulster County, 
Ireland, about 1698. 

Third Generation. Agnes Campbell, married James Gibson.) 

II. James Gibson, of Coventry, a freeman, in 1745 married 
Martha Campbell, a granddaughter of Robert Campbell of New 
London. 

III. John Gibson, born 1747, died 1848, married Ruth Brown. 
(First Generation. John Brown, came from England in 1636. He 

married Dorothy Beauchamp. 

Second Generation. John Brown, of Rehoboth, came with his 
father from England and married Lydia, daughter of William Buck- 
land of Hingham. He died in 1662. 

Third Generation. Capt. John Brown, of Swansea, born August, 
1646, married in November, 1672, Anne Mason, daughter of John 
Mason. 

Major-General John Mason came from England to Dorchester, 
Mass., in 1632. He had served in the Netherlands under Sir 
Thomas Fairfax, and in 1637 was commissioned to command an ex- 
pedition against the Pequots, whom, in a series of campaigns, he 
entirely destroyed. He was captain in 1635, then deputy governor, 
and major-general and commissioner for the New England col- 
onies from 1647 to 1 66 1. General Mason died at Norwich, Ct, 
January 30th, 1672, at the age of seventy-two. His wife was Anne 
Peck, daughter of Rev. Robert Peck. 

Rev. Robert Peck, born at Beecles, County of Suffolk, England, 
graduated at Magdalen College, Oxford, in 1599. He was minis- 
ter at Hingham, County of Norfolk, England, -and came to New 
England with his wife and children, Robert and Anne, settling at 
Hingham, Mass. On the dissolution of the "Long Parliament" he 
embarked for England, October 27th, 1641, with his wife, and went 



34 THE SALEM BOOK 

back to his old rectorship in Hingham, England, where he died in 
1656. 

Fourth Generation. Captain John Brown, born April 28th, 1675, 
died April 27th, 1752. He married July 2d, 1696, Abigail Cole. 

First Generation. Samuel Cole, of Boston. 

Second Generation. John Cole, married, December 30th, 1657, 
Susanna, daughter of William Hutchinson. 

Hon. William Hutchinson, came from Sandwich, County of Kent, 
England, in 1634. He was the first governor of Rhode Island and 
died in 1642. 

Third Generation. Elisha Cole, married in 1713, Elizabeth Dex- 
ter. He died in 1729. 

Fourth Generation. Abigail Cole, married Captain John Brown. 

Fifth ( reneration. James Brown, born July 2d, 1706, died in 
1777. He married Mary Anthony. 

First Generation. John Anthonie, born 1607, died 1675. Lived 
in Hampstead, England. He was a descendant of William Antho- 
nie, who was born at Colen, in Germany, and of his son Derrick An- 
thonie, born at St. Katharines in ye Tower, who was chief graver 
of the mint and scales to Edward VI, Queen Mary and Queen 
Elizabeth. 

Second Generation. John Anthonie, came from England in 1634, 
and settled at Portsmouth, R. I. He married Frances Waddell. 

Third Generation. Abraham Anthony. 

Fourth Generation. William Anthony, married Mary Cogge- 
shall. 

Fifth Generation. James Anthony, born November 19th, 1712, 
married Alice Chase. 

Sixth Generation. Mary Anthony, born December 27th, 1737, 
died February 24th, 18 10, married James Brown. 

Sixth Generation. Ruth Brown, born January 22d, 1763, mar- 
ried John Gibson. 

IV. James Brown Gibson, born October 27th, 1782, died May 
10th, 1827. He was educated at Plainfield Academy, Ct, and at 
Middlebury College. In 1806 he was admitted to the bar, and di- 
rectly afterward settled in Salem, where he became a distinguished 
lawyer. He married Margaret, only daughter of Benjamin Town- 
send of Hebron, who was descended from John Townsend, War- 
wick, R. I., and afterward of Oyster Bay, L. I. They had the fol- 
lowing children: 



INTERESTING GENEALOGIES 35 

1. Francis Ann, married Ted P. Clark. 

2. Horatio, died at Aurora, 111., in 1836. 

3. Esther Maria, married Cyrus Stevens, died in 1836. 

4. James. 

5. Henry, a lawyer in Whitehall, died in 1875. 

6. William T., resided in Indianapolis. 

7. Allen. 

8. Sarah, married Forman Hoxie, and resided in Illinois. 

V. James Gibson, born in Salem, September 5th, 1816. He was 
educated at Washington Academy, and admitted to the bar in 1839. 
He began the practice of law in Salem and became one of the promi- 
nent lawyers of Northern New York. Judge Gibson has held many 
important offices, having been at different times county judge, 
state senator, and brigadier-general of the National Guard. 

He married October 17th, 1844, Jane, daughter of Ira Woodworth 
and Wealthy Ann Gilbert, and they had the following children: 

1. Mary, married T. A. Wright, of New York. 

2. James, married Jennie Cowan. 

3. Jennie, married Edward Townsend. 

VI. James Gibson, born in Salem, N. Y., educated at Washing- 
ton Academy and Norwich Military Academy. He became a law- 
yer and practiced his profession in Salem until his death in 1881. 

He married Jennie, daughter of Hugh and Elizabeth Bruce 
Cowan, and they had the following children: 

1. James, graduated from Princeton in 1894. 

2. Mabel. 

THE BLANCHARD FAMILY 

I. Francis Blanchard, a large wine dealer in Rochelle, France, 
in company with his two sons, John Francis and James, and three 
daughters, escaped from the persecution of the Huguenots in two 
small vessels, taking with him such effects as he could speedily se- 
cure, having sacrificed the greater part of his property. He pro- 
ceeded first to Holland ; from thence he shaped his way to New York, 
where he arrived some time between 1730 and 1734. Here he dis- 
posed of his vessels and entered into the lumber business, having 
purchased a large tract of forest land in New Jersey. 

II. John Blanchard, resided in New York City where, with his 
brother-in-law, Francis Dominick, he conducted an extensive lum- 
ber business, their yard extending from the head of Cherry street 



36 THE SALEM BOOK 

and Franklin square down to the East River. John Blanchard died 
in the thirty-ninth year of his age and is buried in St. Paul's Church- 
yard in New York City. 

He married Mary Anderson, who was born three months after 
the emigration of her parents from Scotland. Their children were: 

James Francis, died in infancy. 

Anthony James. 

Anna, married Captain Benjamin Wyman, of the merchant 
service. 

III. Hon. Anthony James Blanchard, born August 21st, 1768, 
died June 14th, 1853. The following curious record of his baptism 
has been preserved in the old Huguenot church of New York City, 
of which his father and grandfather were prominent members. 
"Anthonie Jacques, fils de Jean Blanchard et Marie Blanchard, pre- 
sente par Pere et Mere. L'enfant est nee le 21 Aout. 1768." 

He studied law under Cornelius I. Bogert, of New York City 
from 1784 to 1787. In 1789 he was admitted to practice in the Su- 
preme Court, and about this time settled in Salem, where he passed a 
long life of usefulness and honor. Among the many curious and 
valuable documents, still carefully preserved in the family mansion, 
is one bearing date 1796, and containing his appointment, signed by 
John Jay, as assistant attorney-general of the district containing 
the counties of Washington and Clinton. In 1810 he was appointed 
first judge of the Court of Common Pleas for Washington county. 

In military matters Judge Blanchard took an active interest 
throughout his life. In 1789 he received a commission, signed by 
Governor George Clinton, as ensign of militia. Later he was ap- 
pointed captain of artillery in the brigade commanded by General 
Williams; then he was promoted to the rank of major, and in 1793 
was commissioned brigade inspector. 

Anthony J. Blanchard married Maria, daughter of General John 
Williams (q. v.) and they had the following children: 

Maria, 1796-1827, married John McLean, Jr., a lawyer in Salem. 

John, 1798-1837. 

Anthony, 1799- 1800. 

Anthony, 1801-1861, married Jane Ann Martin. 

Susannah, born 1803, married Henry H. Ross, a lawyer in 
Essex, N. Y. 

Hamilton, 1804-1832. 

Williams, 1806-1836. 



INTERESTING GENEALOGIES 37 

Ann Eliza, married Frederick L. C. Sailly, a merchant in Pitts- 
burgh. 

Ellen Jane, born 1810, married William Porter, Jr., a lawyer in 
Jordan, N. Y. 

James T., 1813-1835. 
IV. Anthony Blanchard, born May 27th, 1801, died May 1st, 
1 86 1. He was educated at Union College, from which he gradu- 
ated in 18 1 8, being of the same class as Lamon G. Harkness and J. 
M. Proudfit. In 1821 he was admitted to the bar; he was success- 
ful in his profession, and became surrogate of Albany county. 

Anthony Blanchard, married Elizabeth M. Gill, and they had the 
following children: 

Robert, a lawyer in Salem. 

Mary. 

Anthony. 

Hamilton. 
He married, second, Jane Ann, daughter of Bradley Martin and 
granddaughter of Thaddeus Martin (vide Williams Genealogy). 
It will be noticed that John Williams and Anthony Blanchard, who 
were first cousins, married respectively, Harriet D. Martin and Jane 
Ann Martin, who were also first cousins. 

The children of Anthony Blanchard and Jane Ann Martin were : 

Harriet, m. Charles L. Mowry, a manufacturer in Greenwich. 

Grace, m. Frederick W. Sherman, a lawyer in Rye, N. Y. 

Henry, residing in Chicago. 

Francis, residing in New York. 

Annie Townsend, residing in Salem. 

Jeannie, married William C. Trull, a lawyer resding in New 
York City. 

THE LANSING FAMILY 

Though there are none of this name now residing in Salem, yet 
many descendants of Abraham Lansing, the elder, through his 
daughters and granddaughters, are still living in this town, and so 
it is quite fitting that some account of this historic family be pre- 
sented in our history. 

I. Abraham Jacob Lansing, born in Holland, emigrated to Amer- 
ica, and settled at Fort Orange, now Albany. He obtained a grant 
of land from the Dutch Company, and became patroon of Lansing- 
burgh, Schaghticoke, and parts of Brunswick and Pittstown. He 



3 8 THE SALEM BOOK 

erected a colonial Dutch brick house on the east bank of the Hud- 
son, and there resided the greater part of his life. 

II. Cornelius Lansing, born 1752, died 1842. The patroon di- 
vided his estate among his three sons, Cornelius, Levinus and Jacob. 

His wife was Elizabeth Vanderheyden, one of the daughters of 
the Troy patroon. 

Among their children were: 

Abram C. Lansing, who married L. Sophia Gorham of Lansing- 
burgh. Their daughter, Charlotte, married Hon. Bernard Blair of 
Salem. 

Elizabeth Lansing, who married Hon. David Allen, and was the 
mother of Judge C. L. Allen of Salem. 

Alida Lansing, married Hon. David Russell. Their children 
were: 

1. Sarah Russell, married Judge C. L. Allen, her cousin. 

2. Cornelius Lansing Russell, married Lucy A. Winslow, and 
resided in Cleveland, O. 

3. Mary Russell. 

4. William Russell. 

5. Elizabeth Russell. 

6. Maj.-Gen. David A. Russell, a distinguished soldier, who 
lost his life in the Civil War. 

7. Helen, married Rev. Amos B. Lambert, D. D., and resides 
in Salem. 

8. Derrick. 

The present representative of the Russell family in Salem is Col. 
S. W. Russell, a nephew of the Hon. David Russell, and a grand- 
son of Abel Russell. He married Miss Nannie Dixon, daughter of 
Major Dixon, of Warrentown. Virginia, and a descendant, through 
her mother, of the distinguished Ashton family of Virginia. 

THE ALLEN FAMILY. 

I. David Allen, of Fairfield, Ct, born 1743, married Sarah Hull, 
November 10th, 1768. He was a descendant of Gideon Allen, a 
lieutenant in the British army in the reign of Queen Anne. 

II. Hon. David Allen, born in Fairfield, Ct., September 22d, 
1773. He was admitted to the bar of the state of Connecticut; re- 
moved to Lansngburgh, N. Y., in 1803; was member of the assem- 
bly for three terms and of the state senate for one term of four years, 
and was surrogate of Rensselaer county for one term. He died 
May nth, 1820. His wife was Elizabeth, daughter of Cornelius 



INTERESTING GENEALOGIES 39 

and Hester Vanherheyden Lansing (q. v. apud. Lansing Genea- 
logy.) 

III. Hon. Cornelius Lansing Allen, born in Lansingburgh, 
July 17th, 1800. He graduated from Princeton College, September 
30th, 1818, taking high rank in his class. The same year he entered 
the office of Hon. David Russell, as a student at law, and was ad- 
mitted to the bar in 1821. From 1821 to 1830 he was district at- 
torney; during this time he was also master and examiner in Chan- 
cery; this office he held for five years, and for four years was brigade- 
inspector of the sixteenth brigade, New York state militia. 
In 185 1 he was elected justice of the Supreme Court for the Fourtl? 
Judicial District of New York state, which office he held for eight 
years. He was many years president of the First National Bank 
of Salem, and for more than half a century a trustee of Washing- 
ton Academy. 

He married Sarah, daughter of Hon. David and Alida Lansing 
Russell. 

(First Generation. Captain Abel Russell. 

Second Generation. Hon. David Russell, graduated at Williams 
College, and settling in Salem, became a distinguished lawyer, and 
was member of congress for three terms, from March 4th, 1835, to 
March 3d, 1841. 

Third Generation. Alida Russell, married Hon. C. L. Allen.) 
The children of Cornelius L. and Alida Russell Allen were: 
C. L. Allen, Jr. 

Elizabeth, married I. T. Hyde. 
Alida. 
Sarah. 
Kate. 

IV. Hon. C. L. Allen, born in Salem. Educated at Norwich 
Military Academy and Yale College, from which he graduated in 
1867. In 1869 he was admitted to the bar of New York state, and 
is now a lawyer in Salem. He has held the office of special county 
judge. He married Ada, daughter of William Russell, a lawyer in 
this town, and granddaughter of Captain Abel Russell. 

Their children were: 
Christina L., died 1890. 
Kate. 

Cornelius L. 
Russell. 
Constance. 



4 o THE SALEM BOOK 



THE ALLEX FAMILY 

I. James Allen, emigrated probably from Wrentham, County 
Suffolk, England, and settled, in 1639, m Dedham. Mass.. where his 

isin, Rev. John Allen, was pastor. 

II. Joseph Allen, youngest son of James and Anna Allen, was 
born June 24th, 1652. He married Hannah Sabine and lived in 
Rehoboth. 

III. Xehemiah Allen, baptized May 2ist, 1699. 

IV. Jacob Allen, born February 4th, 1734. 

V. Ephraim Allen, M. D., born March 10th, 1766, and May 
26th. 1703. married Miriam, daughter of General Timothy Newell, 
<>f Sturbridge, Mass. Their children were: 

Timothy Newell, born March 31st, 1794, married Catherine 
Finn of Fort Edward, X T . Y., and died in 1826. the first year of his 
law practice. 

Henry, born Xovember 29th, 1795, married Christiana Robin- 
son, and died in Whitehall, 1849. leaving two sons, Henry and 
Charles. 

Charles, born September 27th. 1797, died in Whitehall in March 
1852, leaving a daughter, since deceased. 

Jacob, born October 3d, 1802, and removed to Buffalo, where 
descendants of his still reside. 

George resided in Salem. 

William Pitt, born February 14th, 1808, married Hermion 
Smith at Hartford, N. Y., died in 1854, leawing two children, Will- 
iam Pitt and Caroline. 

Caroline Allen, born March nth, 1799, married Dr. Archibald 
McAllister of Salem, and had seven children, of whom there survive 
Miriam McAllister of Salem, and Sarah McAllister Osborne of X T ew 
York City-. 

VI. George Allen, M. D., bcrn in Salem, educated at Washing- 
ton Academy and the Medical University, Castleton, Vt, graduat- 
ing from the latter December 19th, 1827. He became a member 
of the Washington County Medical Society, and from this time till 
his death, which occurred August 16th, 1866, practiced his profession 
in Salem. Dr. Allen was of more than ordinary- ability as a surgeon, 
and as a physician had no superior in the country. He married 
Caroline S., daughter of Major James Harvey of Salem, and they 
had the following children: 



INTERESTING GENEALOGIES 41 

Charles H. Allen, M. D., for many years a prominent physician 
in this town. 

George Allen, resided in Salem. 

James H. Allen, a resident of Cameron, N. Y. 

Caroline, married Hon. George B. MacCartee, of Washington, 
D. C, afterwards of Salem. Their children are : 

Louise. 

Caroline H. 

George B. Allen. 

Douglas. 
(George B. MacCartee was the son of the Rev. John MacCartee, 
D. D., a Presbyterian minister of New York City, who married 
Jessie Bethune, daughter of Divine Bethune, a merchant of New 
York, and his wife, who was the daughter of Isabella Graham, widely 
known as a philanthropist in the last century.) 

THE CLARK FAMILY 
I. John Clark, born in 1745, died in Salem, November 1st, 1828. 
He came to Salem about 1777 and was by occupation a farmer. 

He married Jane Montgomery, who died in Salem in 1833 at the 
age of seventy-seven. 

First Generation. John Montgomery, of County Armagh, Ire- 
land, born 1728, died 1802. He came to America in 1749 and set- 
tled in Londonderry, N. H., where he married Mary Knox. 

(First Generation. George Knox, a colonel in the English army, 
stationed (at this time) in Halifax. He married Mary, daughter of 
Hugh Montgomery and Mary MacGregor of Londonderry. 

Second Generation. Mary Knox married John Montgomery. 
The children of John and Mary Knox Montgomery were: 

John, of Haverhill, N. H., who was brigadier-general in the 
war of 1812. 

James, who was also an officer in the war of 1812. 
Thomas. 
Jane.) 
Third Generation. Jane Montgomery, born in 1756, died in 
1833. She married John Clark. Their children were: 

1. Isaac, remained in Salem. 

2. John, removed to Hamburg, Erie county, N. Y. 

3. Joseph, a farmer in Salem. 

4 



42 THE SALEM BOOK 

4. Thomas, a hotel keeper in Kingston, N. Y. 

5. James, a farmer in Salem. 

6. Elizabeth, married Seth Brown, M. D., of Salem. 

II. James Clark, born April 14th, 1800, died March 17th, 1885. 
He married Ruth M unlock, of Salem, N. Y. 

First Generation. Samuel Murdock born in Edinburgh, Scot- 
land in 1744, removed to America and died in Salem, March 13th, 
1813. 

Second Generation. Samuel Murdock, born in Massachusetts in 
1777, died in Salem in 1842. He married Huldah Bliss. Their 
children were: 

1. Ruth, married James Clark. 

2. Stephen, married Catharine Sherman and removed to Mil- 
waukee, Wis. 

3. Solomon. 

4. Xenophon. 

5. Samuel. 

6. Calvin. 

Huldah Bliss was the daughter of Calvin Bliss of Shoreham, Vt, 
and his wife Ruth James. 

(Calvin Bliss was an officer in the Revolution and was descended 
on the side of his father Harvey Bliss, in the sixth generation, from 
Thomas Bliss, of Belstone Parish, Devonshire, Eng., whose son 
emigrated to New England, where he died in 1640. On the side of 
his mother, Rubie Brewster, he was a descendant, in the seventh 
generation, of William Brewster, the leader of the Pilgrim Fathers, 
and also in the seventh generation from William Collier, for twenty- 
eight years assistant governor of the Plymouth colony.) 

THE McMURRAY FAMILY 

Robert McMurray was born in Tyrone, Ireland, in the year 1744, 
and married Susanna Cowan at the house of her father on the 20th 
day of June, 1769. Having been members of the congregation who 
came to America with Dr. Clark in 1766, they came over in the year 
1774, bringing with them two infant daughters, Jane and Mar- 
garet. He settled in Salem where he died on the 23d day of Jan- 
uary, 1814. Mr. McMurray is remembered as a worthy citizen, a 
kind and faithful father, and an exemplary and consistent Christian. 
He, in company with James Stevenson and William McFarland, 



INTERESTING GENEALOGIES 4 3 

were the first who were ordained ruling' elders in the Associate Re- 
formed Church after their arrival in this country. Although so re- 
cent an immigrant Mr. Mc Murray espoused the Patriot side in the 
war with the mother country, and although he was never regularly 
enlisted in the army he was a member of the militia and was on duty 
on the day of the battle of Saratoga, and in every way in his power 
gave support to the Patriot cause. Mrs. McMurray died on the 
26th day of May, 1816. Their family consisted of nine children as 
follows : 

Jane, born on the 18th of May, 1770, married John McCoy in Sa- 
lem on the 3d of April, 1793, removed to Argyle and died on the 
10th of October, 1804. 

Margaret, born on the 13th day of August, 1772, married Peter 
Cruikshank on the 19th day of November, 1795, and died on the 
6th day of June, 1843. 

John, born on the 20th day of March, 1776, and died on the 12th 
day of January, 1863, in the 87th year of his age. Having spent 
a long life in this town he became very closely identified with it in 
its various interests. He was elected its supervisor for fourteen 
consecutive years and filled other positions of trust among his fel- 
low-citizens. Early in life he was chosen an elder in the Associate 
Reformed Church, a place which he held during life. He was an 
especial friend and counselor of his pastor, the late Rev. Dr. Alex- 
ander Proudfit, and was a member of that old session that the late 
Dr. Halley afterwards called his body guard. Although he had en- 
joyed but limited opportunities for acquiring an education yet his 
insatiable fondness for reading and his wonderfully retentive mem- 
ory gave him an immense fund of information and made him an 
authority in many lines of inquiry. The character he left after him 
might well be the envy of many whose advantages were much greater 
than his. He was a man who esteemed a good name more highly 
than great riches, and a conscience void of offense toward God and 
man better than the applause of the world. He married Margaret, 
daughter of James Savage of Salem, at the house of her stepfather, 
the Hon. Ebenezer Clark, in Argyle, on the 16th day of October, 
1800. She died on the 27th day of October, 1846. Their family 
consisted of seven children, namely: 

Mary Ann, born on the 7th of October, 1801, and died on the 
7th of January, 1825. 



44 THE SALEM BOOK 

Nancy, born on the 23d day of December, 1803, married John 
McFarland on the nth day of April, 1825, and died on the 21st 
day of March, 1878. 

James, born on the 16th day of January, 1806, and died on the 
6th day of April, 1827. 

Ebenezer was born on the 6th day of March, 1808, married 
Man- McNaughton. They had one son, William, who was born on 
the 5th day of February, 1837, and died on the 5th of November, 
1861. He afterwards married Mary Grace McFarland, who died 
on the 27th day of December, 1873, leaving no children. He died 
on the 17th day of August, 1893. Ebenezer McMurray was a well- 
known and prominent citizen; he was possessed of great natural 
intelligence and a fair education and became a man whose advice 
was often sought by his fellow citizens, and whose opinions in things 
civil or ecclesias'tical were received with respect. He represented 
his district in the legislature in the winter of 1854. 

Jane was born on the 16th day of January, 1812, married Joshua 
Steele, Jr., and died on the 15th clay of February, 1844, leaving three 
children, William James, Mary Ann and Emma Jane. 

Margaret, born on the 20th day of June, 1814, died January, 
6th, 1833. 

Robert (son of John) was born on the 17th day of January, 181 7, 
was educated at the Salem Washington Academy, studied medicine 
with Drs. Allen and Stevenson, was graduated from the Western 
College of Physicians and Surgeons at Fairfield, in January, 1840, 
removed to the city of New York in 1844, where he followed the 
practice of medicine till the 1st of May, 1894, when he returned to 
Salem, where he now lives. He married Gloriana Susan Savage in 
Argyle, on the 31st day of August, 1847. They had one daughter, 
Ida Margaret, who died in childhood. 

Robert McMurray, Jr., was born on the 30th day of April, 1778, 
he was a harness maker by trade, and lived opposite the Ondawa 
Hotel. He married Elizabeth Barber, who died very soon after, 
and he married Ann, daughter of John Whiteside, of Cambridge, on 
the 3d of July, 1810, and died on the 19th of March, 181 5, leaving 
two children, Margaret (Mrs. Ingraham) and Robert, who are both 
living in Centre Cambridge. 

Nancy was born on the 13th of April, 1780, married Thomas 
Stevenson on the 19th day of March, 1801, and died on the 15th 



INTERESTING GENEALOGIES 45 

day of January, 1802, leaving two sons, twins, James Brown and 
Robert McMurray. 

James was born on the 17th day of March, 1782, and died on the 
19th day of January, 1814. He never married. 

William was born on the 3d day of July, 1784. He was educated 
at the Salem Washington Academy, was graduated from Union Col- 
lege in 1804, and in the same year commenced the study of theology 
under the Rev. Dr. John Mason of New York. He was ordained 
and installed over the Associate Reformed Church in Lansingburgh 
in 1808, where he remained till the year 181 1, when he was called to 
the Reformed Dutch Church at Rhinebeck, and in August, 1820, he 
became the pastor of the Reformed Dutch Church in Market street, 
New York City, which charge he retained till his death, which oc- 
curred on the 25th day of September, 1835. In early life he received 
the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Union College. He married 
Esther Kissam in New York in 181 1. They had a numerous family, 
most of whom died in early life. Of those who reached adult life, 
we would mention Cornelia, who married Philip Burrows and lived 
and died in Pau, France; William, Jr., who represented his district 
in the assembly and also in the senate of the state, and died in June, 
1868; John, who served in the war of the Rebellion and was breveted 
colonel for meritorious service at the seige of Knoxville, Tenn. 
He died in France. There are but two of his children living, Esther 
and Henry R. 

Elizabeth, born on the 3d day of August, 1786, married Abner 
Austin, and died on the 22d day of June, 1822, leaving seven chil- 
dren, all of whom have passed away. 

Susan, born on the 9th of April, married Abner Austin in 1824, 
and died on the 17th day of September, 1871. She had four chil- 
dren ; Orrin, Elizabeth, David and Jane Agnes. Jane Agnes, now in 
New York, is the only survivor of both families. 

THE STEVENSON FAMILY 

First Generation. James Stevenson, the founder of this family 
in America, was born about the year 1747, on the bank of the Bonnie 
Doon, in Ayrshire, Scotland. When a young man he moved to 
Paisley where he learned the trade of a silk and linen weaver. He 
was there a member of the church of which the distinguished John 
Witherspoon was pastor. 



46 THE SALEM BOOK 

While in Paisley he married Margaret Brown, a daughter of 
David Brown of Stewarton, Scotland. With his wife and children, 
fames, Jane and John, he emigrated to America. He embarked at 
Greenock, April 20th, 1774, in the brig Commerce. In the same 
ship with him were others coming to this section of the country. 
He came to Salem and settled on a farm two miles east of Salem 
village on winch the remainder of his life was spent and which is 
now owned by his two great grandsons, Thomas and Robert M. 
During all the intervening time it has never passed from the pos- 
session of the family. 

Janus Stevenson voted at the first election held at New Perth, 
now the town of Salem, on September 8th, 1787. Soon after the be- 
ginning of the Revolution he volunteered in the company formed 
under the command of Capt. Alexander McNitt. While attentive 
to the welfare of his adopted country he did not neglect the church 
of his nativity. He became a member of the church over which 
Dr. Clark ministered and afterward one of its ruling elders. When 
Dr. Clark severed his relations with the congregation at Salem and 
they tailed in securing a new pastor, Air. Stevenson performed a 
journey on horseback from Salem to Pequea, Penn., near Phila- 
delphia, through an almost unbroken wilderness to confer with the 
Rev. Janus Proudfit, and by his efforts the services of Mr. Proudfit 
were procured for Salem. 

Not only was Mr. Stevenson active in matters pertaining to church 
and state, but he also took great interest in the cause of education. 
He was a member of the first board of trustees of Washington 
Academy, and was always active in its interest. He died April 19th, 
1790. aged 52 years. His wife died the following year. 

Second Generation. The children of James and Margaret Steven- 
son were James, Jane, David, John and Thomas. James married 
Hannah Johnson and died at Stryphursville, Wyoming county, in 
1843. Jane married George Telford, and settled in Argyle; David 
died unmarried in Salem; John married Katharine McLeod, settled 
in Howard, Steuben county, N. Y., where he died in 1863; Thomas 
married Agnes, daughter of John McMurray, and afterwards Mary, 
daughter of Joshua Steele. He was a man of God, serving as an 
elder in the Scotch church for nearly half a century and died in Sa- 
lem in 1854, aged 75. The children of Thomas were, Thomas S., 
Robert M. and James B. 



INTERESTING GENEALOGIES 47 

Third Generation. Thomas S., married Sarah R. Stevenson, lived 
on the old homestead and died there aged 78. His wife died on the 
same place aged 80. Robert M. married Ellen J. Shaw, practiced 
medicine in Salem and died while still young. His wife afterwards 
married James Small of Coila; James B. married Martha, daughter 
of Capt. James McFarland, who died August 20th, 1865, aged 49 
years. James B. died March 28th, 1886, aged 84, and as his father 
before, served as an elder in the Scotch church for nearly fifty years. 
Some of the descendants of the old pioneer family became quite 
prominent. His oldest son, James, graduated from Rutgers College 
in 1799. He was principal of the academies at Morristown and 
Elizabeth, N. J., and afterwards of Washington Academy. Many 
of his students became very distinguished men. Among them may 
be named, Theodore Frelinghuysen, Samuel L. Southard, C. R. In- 
galls, Prof. Tayler Lewis, Rev. George W. Bethune and Hon. An- 
thony J. Blanchard. He was long and extensively known as one of 
the best classical teachers in the country. 

Paul Eugene, son of James, was a graduate of Union College, and 
Princeton Theological Seminary. He was a classical teacher and a 
clergyman. He was settled over Presbyterian churches at Staunton, 
Va., Wyoming, Pa., and Brooklyn, N. Y. He died at Paterson, 
N. J., February 10th, 1870, aged 61. 

James Stevenson, son of John, educated at Rutgers College and 
Seminary, preached twenty-five years at Minaville, N. Y, and ten 
years in Wynantskill, N. Y., where he died. 

James M. Stevenson, a son of James B. ? born at Salem, a gradu- 
ate of Union College and Princeton Seminary, was pastor of the 
Second Presbyterian Church of Jersey City for six years. He died 
in Salem, October 18th, 1871, in the 31st year of his age. Richard 
W., son of James, lived and practiced medicine at Morristown, N. J., 
where he died. Robert M., son of Thomas, was a physician, gradu- 
ate of the Medical College in Castleton, V't, lived and practiced 
medicine in Salem where he died. The following descendants of 
the family are now living; James D. resides at San Antonio, Texas, 
and is a lawyer; Richard W. in New York city, a lawyer; Louisa and 
Kate in Morristown, N. J.; Mary, wife of Prof. John B. McMaster, 
in Philadelphia; these are children of Richard W. Stevenson and 
his wife, Ellen Duryee. Preston, a lawyer, in New York City; Eu- 
gene, a lawyer in Paterson, N. J.; Edward I., a journalist in New 



4 8 THE SALEM BOOK 

York City, and Mary M., in New York City; these are children of 
Rev. Paul Eugene Stevenson and his wife Cornelia Prime. Henry 
M., a lawyer residing in New York City, and James R., a farmer in 
Hobart, N. Y.; these arc children of Rev. Janus M. Stevenson and 
his wife Isabella Rich. 

Thomas Stevenson, a farmer, married in 1857, Alida, eldest daugh- 
ter of William A. Russell. He has represented his town in the 
board of supervisors and his assembly district for two terms in the 
state legislature. He was appointed by President Hayes United 
States collector of internal revenues for the 15th district of New 
York, and held the position for nearly five years. He lives in Sa- 
lem. Robert M., is cashier of the People's National Bank of Salem 
and resides in Salem; these are sons of James B. Stevenson and 
his wife Martha McFarland. 

THE CRUIKSHANK FAMILY 
First Generation. — William Cruikshank came to America in 1762. 
He had been married at Aberdeen, Scotland, to Mary Grierson, the 
widow of Surgeon Clark of the British navy, who was drowned at 
sea. Surgeon Clark was brother to Rev. Thomas Clark, and the 
latter was associated intimately with the family of William Cruik- 
shank. 

Their friendship began in Scotland and was an advantage to both 
families in America. William Cruikshank had an uncle, George 
Cruikshank, who was a graduate of the University of Aberdeen. A 
classmate of the latter emigrated to America and settled at Albany, 
N. Y. Through his solicitations George Cruikshank, the uncle, 
William Cruikshank, his wife Mary, and her two sons John and 
James Clark, children of her first husband, Surgeon Clark, left Aber- 
deen, Scotland, in 1762, came to New York and made their way up 
the Hudson to Albany. They were living there when Dr. Thomas 
Clark with his emigrating church landed in New York July 28th. 
1764. 

William Cruikshank followed Dr. Clark to New Perth (now Sa- 
lem) in 1768. He bought two lots in the northern part of the town, 
numbers 106 and 114, each lot containing 88 acres and also three 
acres of pine land in the southern part, lot No. 59, in all 179 acres, 
for which he paid eighty pounds, current money of New York, on 
receipt of deed July 17th, 1770, signed by Edward and Mary Sav- 



INTERESTING GENEALOGIES 49 

age and witnessed by Thomas Clark, Archibald Brown and James 
Savage. This deed is still extant and in possession of the Cruik- 
shank family. William Cruikshank, after eight years prospecting, 
made his home in New Perth, and his descendants still own and live 
on the tract of land bought in 1770. 

William Cruikshank was a confirmed and courageous whig, but 
was unable to enter the military service on account of a physical 
disability. He had tory neighbors. A tory by the name of Baker 
stole his colored man Dolph, took him to Burgoyne's camp and sold 
him to a British officer. William Cruikshank went openly to 
Bakers farm and seized his live stock and drove it to his own home 
as pay for the negro Dolph, then dared Baker to retake. Eleven 
years after, Baker took the oath of allegiance to the United States 
and the robbery on both sides was settled in court at Salem. The two 
Clarks, children of Surgeon Clark and Alary Grierson by her first 
marriage, nephews of Dr. Clark, married and settled in Middle He- 
bron. 

Second Generation. — James had no children, and those of his 
brother John went to Lisbon, St. Lawrence county, N. Y. There re- 
mained in the Cruikshank family, Mrs. Mary, a widow, and her three 
sons, William, George and Peter. William, the elder son, named for 
his father, became a merchant and his store was located on the east 
side of Main street, Salem village, on the lot on which the Bancroft 
house now stands. He died a single man. His property was divided 
between his brothers, George and Peter. George received on divis- 
ion of his father's property the north lot. George sold his farm to 
Job Cleveland and went to Delaware, O. He had four children, 
David, Mary, William, and George. David and Mary are dead, 
William and George are now living in Delaware, O. 

In 1795 Peter Cruikshank was the single representative of the 
family in the town of Salem. He married Margaret, the daughter 
of Robert McMurray. They were married November 19th, 1795, by 
the Rev. Alexander Proudfit. On the 20th, a bridal party of fifteen 
couples mounted on horseback, escorted the bride and groom from 
the residence of the bride's father, Mr. Robert McMurray, in the 
south part of the town to the groom's house where they were received 
by the mother, Mrs. Mary Cruikshank. Peter Cruikshank was 
active in the religious and military life of the day. He assisted in the 
building of the church in 1796 and 1797, and when it was finished 



5 o THE SALEM BOOK 

and dedicated selected a pew which he occupied during his life; after 
his death it was occupied by one of his sons, and now by a grandson. 
Five generations of the family have listened to the divine word from 
this pew. 

At the age of eighteen, Peter, Sr., joined a large troop of cavalry 
drawn from Salem. Hebron, Greenwich and Jackson. He served 
in all the subaltern offices of the company and finally as captain. 
His commission as cornetist was signed by Gov. Morgan Lewis, 
dated June ioth, 1807. As second lieutenant, signed by Gov. 
Daniel D. Tompkins, dated July 6th, 1809. As first lieutenant, by 
the same, dated April 22(1, 181 3, and the fourth commission as cap- 
tain of troop of cavalry in the 7th Regiment, second squadron, com- 
manded by Col. John M. Williams, is dated May, 181 5, and signed 
by Gov. Daniel D. Tompkins. Peter Cruikshank, Sr., died June 
16th, 1856, aged 83 years, 3 months and 9 days. His wife, Mar- 
garet McMurray Cruikshank, a goodly woman, died June 6th, 1848, 
in the 76th year of her age. She was a crown to her husband and a 
blessing to her children. 

Third Generation. To them were born eight children. Susannah, 
who married Abram Rowan, died August 22d, 1868, aged 72 years; 
the Rev. William Cruikshank, who married Jane B. Delaplain. He 
was a graduate of Union College, Schenectady, and of the Theo- 
logical Seminary, New Brunswick; was pastor of the Reformed 
Church, Flatlands, L. I., and organized and was pastor of the Re- 
formed Church at Newburgh, N. Y. He died February 20th, 1884, in 
his 57th year; Robert Cruikshank, who married Emily Thompson, 
and was an elder in the U. P. Church, Troy; he died June 10th, 1892, 
at the age of 93 years. Mary, who married John Parrish, died May 
29th, 1886, aged 84 years. Agnes, who married Cordon McClelland, 
died March 5th, 1854, aged 49 years. Peter, who married Elizabeth 
McKnight, inherited and resided upon the home farm. He died 
August, 1884, at the age of 81 years, leaving four sons and two 
daughters residing in Salem or its vicinity. Two of the sons, Rob- 
ert and William, served in the late war, and Peter Cruikshank, the 
youngest member of his family, now owns and occupies the home- 
stead. James M. Cruikshank, who married Ann Eliza Bassett, died 
October 14th, 1873, aged 64 years. 

Rev. John C. Cruikshank, Sc. D., the youngest and only surviv- 
ing member of the Peter Cruikshank, Sr., family, graduated from 



INTERESTING GENEALOGIES 51 

Union College, Schenectady, 1834, from the Theological Seminary 
at New Brunswick, in 1837, was pastor of the church at Hyde 
Park and Hurley, N. Y., and Little Falls, N. J. The latter pastorate 
he held over twenty years and for twenty-five years was superin- 
tendent of public instruction for Passaic county. In 1891, Rutgers 
College conferred upon him the title of " Doctor of Science." He 
now resides at Little Falls, N. J. 

THE HOPKINS FAMILY 

The present local interest which attaches to this name, centers 
in and around the fact that it was among the first to appear on our 
town records and is now one of the very few left of those who are 
still holding by hereditary descent the original property upon which 
a " first settler " settled. 

Unquestionably, in this instance, he came to stay, for after a lapse 
of one hundred and twenty years, he is still here in the fourth and 
fifth generations, and bravely contesting his right to remain. 

Not having any "de" to illuminate his name, he could not be 
French, nor any "Mc," he was plainly not Scotch; and his ancestral 
butterfly was so utterly torpid and securely folded away in its earth- 
colored chrysalis that it could not move a leg or wave a wing in pro- 
test against the verdict — "Let him alone, he's Irish." An interested 
student might follow his genealogical line on stepping stones of es- 
tablished fact and traditional history, across the Irish Sea into Wales 
and over the moors of England. If he chanced upon Wilton Tower, 
Darlington, England, and modestly requested a comparison of their 
English coat of arms with that of the American branch — William 
Innes Hopkins might possibly clap his monocle to his eye and, 
recognizing the similarity, curtly challenge a reply to "I say, how 
did you come by it? " 

The purpose of this article, however, is best served by letting him 
remain Irish, and although some inaccuracies respecting dates may 
occur, the general knowledge contained is considered correct. 

James Hopkins and his wife, Jean Thompson, were born in 
county Antrim, Ireland, in 1688 and 1689. The date of their mar- 
riage in Ireland is not known. 

They emigrated to America in 1722. In September of 1723, 
James Hopkins bought of Caleb Bushnell in New London, Ct., a 



5 2 THE SALEM BOOK 

hundred-acre grant of land for the sum of "twenty pounds, current 
money" and thus became associated with that colonial district. 

Among their several children were David and Robert Hopkins. 
David married Sarah Polk, and Robert married Jenny Polk (sisters), 
who were also emigrants from County Antrim, Ireland. 

Since the " Ancestral Butterfly/' before alluded to, has been strug- 
gling to get free, it has been known to face exultantly towards the 
White House and nod familiarly to the memory of James K. Polk. 

In April, 1749, James and Jean Hopkins, "in consideration of their 
parental good will and affection,'' deeded to their " dutiful son David " 
a certain tract of land, lying in West Greenwich, R. I., where the 
family had become settled. Of their varied fortunes we have no 
further account until we learn that Stephen Hopkins, "governor, 
captain, general and commander-in-chief of, and over the English 
colony of Rhode Island and Providence plantations in New Eng- 
land ami America ,, — commissioned David Hopkins to the ofhce of 
justice of the peace; an office which he held from 1763 to 1769, giv- 
ing him in those days full power to do all things by law in both civil 
and criminal cases. 

James and Jean Hopkins are buried in West Greenwich, R. I., 
aged 85 and 86 years. 

In 1775, David Hopkins sold his Rhode Island property with the 
intention of again becoming a pioneer. In this new enterprise he 
was joined by his brother, Robert and family. 

Quoting from his pastor's letter of recommendation, we read: 
"David Hopkins, Esquire, has Lived in This Congregation almost 
fifty years, Having Religious Parents, making a good profession 
himself and Early Privileged With Special ordinances of the Gospel, 
or Which Commonly Expressed here, full Communion, has Lived 
Soberly and Christianly, and now moving from these parts we Rec- 
ommend him as a person Worthy the Care and Watch of any 
Christian Congregation in Which God and his Providence may cast 
his lot." 

Thus — uprooted from the soil of its first transplanting, to which 
it had become native through time and circumstances — this old tree 
was replanted, on one of the farms in the eastern part of the town of 
Salem, which was included in the Turner patent. 

How this patriarchal company made the journey, is a matter for 
conjecture. Steam and trolley transit were as far from taking 






INTERESTING GENEALOGIES 53 

definite shape in the imaginations of that generation, as the fanciful 
airship is, in the minds of to-day, and no doubt if those travelers had 
been brought face to face with our modern locomotive forces, they 
would have felt themselves called to battle with Apollyon, himself. 

A well-remembered pair of time-worn, leather saddle bags are 
mutely suggestive that David and Sarah Hopkins rode in their com- 
pany from Rhode Island to " New Perth/' and a little reflection on 
the customs of that day makes it safe to suppose that when David 
arrived, Sarah was not far behind. Their first place of residence in 
their newly adopted home was quite "up with the times" — hand- 
made and hand-carved. Nature's own hand having molded, 
rounded and seasoned for hundreds of years, the symmetrical ma- 
terial for the outside and inside finish, while every member of the 
family had a "suite" of rooms on the first floor. 

Their seven children were, Samuel, David, Isaac, Margaret, 
Martha, James and George, and ere long the neighboring families 
began to present irresistible attractions for these sons and daughters 
of Rhode Island. 

Samuel, the eldest, married the widow Elizabeth Campbell, of 
Hebron, N. Y. He served in the Revolutionary war under Captain 
Hutchins. His great great granddaughter, Mrs. H. H. Hamilton, 
now resides at 338 Center street, Chicago, 111. Isaac, married his 
cousin, Hannah Hopkins. Mrs. M. A. Alden, Coldwater, Mich., 
and Dr. A. W. Hopkins, Ashtabula, O., are of this branch. Mar- 
garet became the wife of Benjamin Cleveland. We regret that no 
facts are at hand concerning the marriage and settlement of David 
and Martha. 

George and James remained upon the home farm until, both 
taking wives, it became expedient to dissolve partnership. James 
married a Miss Hamilton and moved to Granville, New York, some 
of their family afterward to Oshkosh, Wisconsin. 

George married Patience Osgood, a descendant of John Osgood, 
who was born in England in 1595. The children of George and 
Patience Hopkins were Warner, Hannah, Aaron, Martha, George, 
Patience, Ann and David. Of these, Aaron, Ann and David died 
unmarried. Hannah and Martha married Daniel and Palmer Cleve- 
land, of Hebron, New York; Patience became the second wife of Dr. 
Henry Sheldon, of Rupert, Vermont; Warner chose Elizabeth 
Flower, of West Rupert, Vermont, and his son Frank W. Hopkins, 



54 



THE SALEM BOOK 



and family, now own and reside on the farm adjoining the old 
homestead. George broke his resolution of remaining a bachelor 
and married Eliza J. McAllister, of Salem. New York. 

The last named remained on the homestead and of their ten chil- 
dren the youngest retains it. and bears the ancestral name of David. 

Descendants from each of these families are still living in Salem, 
and adjacent towns, while many others have mounted the tidal wave 
of emigration in its westward flow and may be found in almost every 
state in the Union. 

A Hopkins, of the sixth or seventh generation from James and 
Jean, who seeks to follow the intricacies and windings of his family 
relationship must first gird himself for a run with "Tennyson's 
Brook." In closing it may be said that David Hopkins and his wife 
Sarah Polk; George Hopkins and his wife Patience Osgood, with 
others closely related, are buried in the "old burying ground" at 
Salem village. 

George Hopkins and his wife Eliza J. McAllister, with many of 
their own and other branches of the Hopkins family are buried in 
Salem Evergreen Cemetery and in Rupert, Vermont. 

Very interesting "Hopkins Reunions" have been held in Ohio and 
Michigan and there may be much, that if known io us, would add 
greatly to the interest of this sketch. 



OLD FAMILIES 55 



OLD FAMILIES 

To give any complete account of the families which have been 
long and honorably associated with the history of Salem would be a 
task for volumes and is altogether beyond the compass of one little 
book like the present. In the preparation of this work, however its 
compilers have come across many facts connected with the origin and 
history of families, either now or formerly resident in the town of 
Salem, which seemed worthy of preservation. Accordingly they 
have been incorporated in the present chapter. 

This record, of course, makes no pretense to completeness, 
either in the number of families described or in the facts recorded 
of them. It is to be judged simply as a collection of interesting facts, 
a collection that might have been increased ten-fold, but which 
could not, it was felt, be diminished without serious loss. 

ATWOOD 

Zacheus Atwood came to Salem in 1804 and settled on the farm 
lately occupied by Samuel S. Billings. His children were Elijah G., 
Charles, Abiathar, Cyrus, Anson, Samuel, Mrs. Pliny Hill, Mrs. 
Renjamin Cleveland, Mrs. Turner and Mrs. T. R. Weston. Charles 
and Anson became prominent as ministers. 

Of the descendants now living, Mrs. T. R. Weston, a daughter, 
and Mrs. Eliza Freeman, a granddaughter, reside in Salem. 

BANCROFT 

Benjamin F. Bancroft was born at Granville, Mass., in 1816. His 
grandfather, Samuel Bancroft, Jr., was an officer in the Revolu- 
tionary war. B. F. Bancroft was the only son of Jonathan B. 
Bancroft and Betsy Clark. In 1838 he came to Granville, N. Y., 
and entered the mercantile business which he carried on success- 
fully for fifteen years. In 1853 he came to Salem and assisted in or- 
ganizing the First National Bank of Salem, becoming one of its di- 
rectors and its cashier, which position he held until April, 1878, 
when he was elected president. The financial standing of this bank 



56 THE SALEM BOOK 

attests his careful and judicious management. In politics he was 
republican and the nominee of bis party as one of the presidential 
electors in 1876. He took a leading part in raising money and men 
in bis town and county for the suppression of the rebellion. In 1844 
he married Mary J., daughter of Gen. Edward Bulkley, of Granville, 
New York. He died in Salem, November 23d, 1886. Mrs. Ban- 
croft died March 23d, 1881. 

BLAIR 
Bernard Blair was born in Williamstown, Mass., in 1801; came 
to Salem in 1825 and entered the law office of Russell & Allen. In 
1828 he formed a partnership with Judge Allen, lasting twelve 
years. In 1833 he married Charlotte, daughter of Brommie C. 
Lansing, of Lansingburgh. He was trustee for many years of 
Washington Academy and of the First Presbyterian Church. In 
1839 he was elected to congress. The degree of Master of Arts 
was conferred on him both by Middlebury College and Williams 
College. He died in Salem in 1880. 

BINNINGER. 

Gen. Isaac Binninger was born in Salem in 1797. His great 
grandfather was a native of Switzerland and a Moravian minister. 
While on his way to America both he and his wife died, leaving two 
sons, Abraham and Christopher. The brothers came to Bethlehem, 
Pa., where Abraham was educated for the ministry. At the close 
of his studies lie went as a missionary to the West Indies where he 
had first to permit himself to be sold as a slave before he was al- 
lowed to preach the gospel. He made a second missionary journey 
under the direction of William Penn. In 1764 he came to Camden 
Valley, in Salem, where he died March 8th, 181 1, aged 91. He left 
four sons, John, Isaac, Joseph and Abraham. Isaac was the father 
of the general. He was drafted as a soldier in the Revolutionary 
war and taken prisoner by the Indians, but was released through the 
efforts of his brother John who was a tory and held office in Canada 
under the king. He died July 30th, 1827, aged 67 years, leaving 
eleven children, of whom the general w^as the oldest. 

Gen. Binninger spent his boyhood on the home farm. When 
he was 17 he engaged as a clerk in the store of E. E. Law in 
Shushan. This store he afterward purchased of Mr. Law. After 

a successful mercantile career, he bought the farm in Salem now 

owned by his sons Albert and Abraham. He was a member of the 



OLD FAMILIES 57 

New York militia and was proomted through regular gradation 
to the rank of brigadier-general. His commission dates September 
5th, 1834. While a merchant in Shushan he was postmaster for 
fifteen years. He was a democrat, and took a leading part in politi- 
cal matters until 1825. He married Miss May McCullar, daughter 
of the Rev. William McCullar, of Shushan. She died February 
19th, 1829. His second wife was Gloryana, daughter of the Hon. 
Simon Stevens, of Greenwich, N. Y. He died January 5th, 1885, 
aged 88 years. 

BOYD 

The pioneers of the Boyd family were three brothers, James, 
Robert and John, and were members of the original "Scotch-Irish 
Colony." James settled northeast of the village on what is now 
known as the Robert Boyd farm; of his children Robert and 
William settled in Salem. The pioneer Robert settled on land ad- 
joining that of James and had two daughters, Catharine and Mar- 
garet. John, the third brother of the pioneers, settled on the farm 
lately occupied by James More. There are two descendants of the 
family now living in Salem, William R. and William. 

BEATY 

The Beaty family traces descent from Thomas Beaty who emi- 
grated from Ireland in 1762 with his wife and five children, David, 
Jean, Thomas, Samuel and William. The family were of Scotch 
descent and emigrated to Ireland on account of religious per- 
secutions in Scotland. Thomas Beaty erected his log cabin in the 
wilderness, living there until his death at the age of 83. John, his 
son, with his wife and daughter, Jane, emigrated in the same year. 
He first settled in Pennsylvania, but afterward moved to Salem, 
and built his cabin in 1772 on the farm on which William J. Beaty 
now resides. 

Among the Beatys who have become prominent men there may be 
mentioned David, a son of William, at one time district attorney of 
Schenectady county and afterwards county judge. John, a son of 
Samuel, a clergyman, settled in Brooklyn, and afterward in Lock- 
port, N. Y. The Beatys are an extremely large connection. It is 
stated that at one time there were more than one hundred of that 
name living in Salem; at the present time there are at least fifty 
descendants of this family living in the town. 

5 



5 8 THE SALEM BOOK 

CLAPP 

Major Stephen Clapp came from Connecticut before or during 
the Revolutionary war. He was a soldier and won his title by- 
active service. He lived in the hamlet now known as Rexleigh and 
for many years it was called, for him, Clapp's Mills. Of his chil- 
dren, Constant, settled on the other side of the Kill in Jackson; 
Stephen, Jr., in Jackson; Wheeler, better known as Col. Ephraim 
W. Clapp, of the war of 1812, finally removed to Annaquassicoke ; 
Otis settled in Essex county; Leonard H. removed to Pittsfield; 
Samuel settled in Hebron and finally moved to Adrian, Mich.; Miss 
Helen Green, a granddaughter of Stephen, Jr., is the only descend- 
ant of the family now in Salem. 

CONKEY 

Joshua Conkey came to Salem in 1761 from Pelham, Mass. He 
located up White Creek on the Chester Billings' farm. His chil- 
dren were Richard, who settled in Roxbury, Delaware county, N.Y.; 
John, who settled in Martinsburg, Lewis county, N. Y.; Elizabeth, 
who married Amos Safiford, of Salem, and after his death married 
Daniel Pratt, of Cossayuna; Margaret, who married William Miller 
and moved to Martinsburg; Mary, who married Nathaniel Sterns; 
Emma, who married Samuel Safford and settled at Camillus, N. Y. 

Richard's children were, Joshua, Joel, Mrs. Cord and Mrs. William 
Montgomery; the children of Joshua, the son of Richard, were Mrs. 
Jason Williams, of Cambridge; Mrs. Hiram Lewis, of Troy; Rev. 
Charles Conkey, of Salem; Thomas, of Hebron; Nathaniel, of Sand- 
gate, Vt, and Daniel, who died in Salem. Silas, a brother of the 
pioneer, came from Pelham, Mass., and settled at Fitch's Point, 
and built a factory there. Of his descendants Mrs. William Fitch 
lives in Salem. 

CLEVELAND 

Benjamin Cleveland came from Rhode Island and settled on 
White Creek. His sons, David and Palmer, settled in Pawlet, Vt.; 
Moses, Aaron and Daniel in Salem; Job, a brother of Benjamin, 
came to Salem six years later than he and settled on the farm still in 
possession of the Cleveland family. Of his children, Daniel C. went 
to Hebron; Job to Wyoming; Ira to Ohio; Levi H. and Benjamin 
remained in Salem and died there; Mrs. Farnham to Hebron; Mrs. 
Lewis to Rupert, Vt; Mrs. Alexander Gray, Mrs. Elizabeth Gray 



OLD FAMILIES 59 

and Mrs. Anson Gray to Dorset, Vt. Benjamin Cleveland, maternal 
grandfather, was killed in the battle of Saratoga. The only de- 
scendants of this family now living in Salem are Margaret, the wife 
of D. J. Abbott and John Cleveland, who lives on the old home- 
stead. 

CHURCH 
Bethuel Church came to Salem before the Revolution and had 
two sons, Bethuel, Jr., who lived at the homestead and finally re- 
moved to Grand Rapids, Mich., and Leonard Church, a lawyer, who 
lived and died in Salem. Of the children of Leonard, A. M. Church 
is a merchant and lives in Troy, and Mrs. Piser resides in Shushan. 

FAIRLEY 
Hugh Fairley and Sarah his wife came from Ireland with two 
children and settled in Salem, where they spent their lives. The 
children born in this country were Hugh, John, Sarah and Jane. 
Hugh married Catharine McNaughton, daughter of Alexander Mc- 
Naughton, in 1819. They had four children, John B., James A., 
Mary Jane and William B. Of the descendants of this family now 
living, Mary Jane, the wife of Captain J. M. Thompson, lives in 
Salem. 

GILLIS 

Archibald Gillis settled in Argyle about the time Dr. Clark's 
colony settled in Salem. His sons were James, Joseph and John, and 
one daughter, Mrs. Leigh. Of his descendants, James, William and 
John reside in Salem. 

HANNA 

David Hanna was one of the elders in Dr. Clark's church, being 
ordained in Ballibay. He settled on the Michael Collins farm. His 
sons were John, Robert and David; his daughters Mrs. William Lytle 
and Mrs. Sproules. John went to St. Lawrence county, David to 
Hebron, and Robert remained at the homestead. Of the descendants 
David James lives in Salem. 

HAWLEY 

Joseph Hawley, with Sally Gray, his wife, came to this town from 
Bridgeport, Conn., while still a young man. He spent his life as a 
merchant in this place, and died here in 1858, aged 83. His son 
David was born in Salem, March 9th, 1809. He was educated at 



6o THE SALEM BOOK 

Washington Academy and became a merchant and dealer in country 
prodnce. He married, in 1830, Matilda, daughter of the late James 
Harvey. She died at the age of 23, leaving one daughter, Sarah M., 
wife of Rev. John McLean, of Oakland, Cal. In 1848 he married 
Lydia J., daughter of the late Col. Bethucl Mather, of Schaghticoke, 
X. Y. They had two sons, Joseph Mather and Charles D., who. 
with Mrs. McLean, are the surviving members of the family. 

HARRIS 
Ebenezer Harris came from Connecticut to Camden Valley in 
1788. He traveled on foot and his wife on horseback, carrying an 
infant six months old. He taught a pioneer schol in the valley for 
fourteen years, and was the first teacher of Jared Sparks, the his- 
torian. He was licensed to preach by Bishop Asbury. Of his de- 
scendants, Royal Harris resides in the valley. 

LAW 

John Law was born in 1743. He emigrated from Ireland in 1723. 
His family consisted of his wife and two children. After living a 
year in Albany they moved to Salem and settled on a farm near the 
village of Shushan. Of the children of John Law, Thomas settled 
on a farm east of Shushan; Isabella became Mrs. James McMorris, 
of Jackson. John settled in New York City. Returning to Salem 
in 1800 he opened a store in the east part of the town and passed the 
rest of his life in Salem. In his latter years he lived on the farm 
where J. S. Sherman now resides. Robert B. settled on the turnpike 
near Rexleigh, and was a merchant, succeeding John Law in his 
store. He died on the present place of Andrew Law. Agnes became 
Mrs. John Irving and afterward Mrs. 'William Moncrief. The sons 
of Thomas were Robert, John T., Thomas and Alexander B. Wil- 
liam L. was a son of John, and Thomas, Isaac and Edward were 
sons of Robert K. Of this family, William L. was for many years 
president of the Evergreen Cemetery; Alexander was justice of the 
peace for many years; supervisor and chairman of the board, and 
represented his district in the legislature two terms. Of the descend- 
ants of the family now living, James and his sister Ellen live in the 
town. 

LYTLE 

John Lytle came to Salem with Dr. Clark's colony and located 
south of the village on the Shushan road. His children were Eliza- 



OLD FAMILIES 61 

beth, wife of James Rowan; Isaac, of Hebron; Rebecca became. Mrs. 
James Mills, of Argyle; William, Esther, Susan and Jane. Andrew 
Lytle, a brother of John, was also a member of the original colony. 
He lived on the place recently occupied by Hon. David Russell. 
His children were James, Hannah, William, Mary, Andrew and 
Margaret. Of the descendants of this family, John S. Lytle lives in 
Salem, George in Cambridge, William in Green Island, Charles and 
Rockwell in California. 

MATTHEWS 
William and David Matthews were pioneers from Ireland. They 
settled on the Shushan road about midway between the two villages. 
David was the father of the Rev. James M. Matthews, at one time 
chancellor of the New York University. The descendants of this 
family now live in New Jersey and New York City. 

MARTIN 
Walter Martin was the son of Captain Adam Martin and his wife 
Abigail Cheney. He was born in Sturb ridge, Mass., in 1764, and 
moved to Salem in 1786. He married first Sally, daughter of James 
Turner and step-daughter of General Williams. She died in 181 5 
and he married a second time, Sarah Granger. He was appointed 
justice of peace for the county of Washington in 1798 and held 
that office as long as he remained in the county. He owned and 
operated a gristmill at Fitch's Point. His first home in Salem was 
in the house, still standing, recently occupied by Alvin Goodrich. 
From there he moved to the house afterwards occupied by Major 
George Reab and now included under the roof of Whitlock Hall. 
In 1802 he removed to Martinsburg, Lewis county, as the leader of 
a colony of young men. From him that place takes its name. He 
served in the war of 1812 as brigadier-general. He was in the 
New York senate from 1808 to 1812, and was postmaster of Martins- 
burg for thirty years. He died December 10, 1834. His children 
were Walter, who went to Marshall, Mich.; Adam, who died 1826, 
aged 30; John W. entered public life and removed to New York 
City; Charles L., cashier of Lewis County Bank, afterwards 
removed to New York; Margaret went to Green Bay; David L., 
who remained in Lewis county; Jane married Stephen Leonard; 
Abigail married Philo Rockwell, and Susanna, who married John 
Savage, M. D., a distinguished physician and surgeon. 



[E SALEM 

McC )LLISTER 
K.. - - - [11762,1 cated 

still known 
l sis 

settled in 
c 

rg, X. Y.: 
sse g I ' ". 
- - - Pigeon, remained 
stead there. Judge 1 - 1 . 

McCLEAR^ 

a and Daniel Mc three brc: - to this 

setti si er the line in 

:wned t; be Luther 

I in Hebron on the farm known as the "Squire 

- ; :tled on the farm now occupied by William 

soi married a - 

Drmon prop' t, Jos 1 St th, John had one son. Dai 

sons, one who died : 
and ssed his lif e in S the des 

sons John McCleary. 

• 5a1 em. 

McNISH 
Mexan lex is one of : - ttl - E Sal m. His 

panied hi Salem being at that time 104 years old. 

5 recor - g at 1 wn meeting preceding his death, 

farm now occupied by his grandson Alex- 
ander . settled in Salei Alexander, 
Sally, married Thorn:.- 51 - married 
Steele. Alexander. 5i is a soldier of the Revolution, 
nded at the batttle of - It is said that he was 
fohn Rowan. 

McCLAUGHRY 

James fe, Margaret 5 ime to this 

settled near Fitch's Point and had seven chil- 



OLD FAMILIES 63 

dren — Matthew, Richard, Andrew, Thomas, Mary Ann, Agnes and 
Margaret Man- Ann married Edward Riggs; Agnes, John Wat- 
son; Margaret, James Savage; Richard married Anna Burgess; 
Matthew, Ann Morrison; Andrew, Elizabeth Harsha; and Thomas, 
Agnes Harsha. Of the descendants now living, James S. 
McClaughry was for many years a practising physician in Delaware 
county, X. Y. He now lives in Xew York City. William M. 
McClaughry, M. D., and William B. McClaughry, M. D., live in 
Xew York City. James lives at the old homestead in Salem with 
his three sons, Morrison Joseph, James Jr., and William Ezra. 
Charles, another son, and Mrs. Lant, a daughter, live in East Green- 
wich. There are many others of this family in the western states. 

McFARLAXD 

James McFarland came to this country from Ballibay in 1774. 
With him came his bachelor uncle, James McFarland, William Mc- 
Farland and his sister, Mary Matthews, all of whom were members 
of Dr. Clark's church. About 1797 James returned to Ireland and 
brought back with him to this country his father, Daniel, Jr., his 
brothers, William and Robert, and his sister, Mrs. James Alexander. 
William, a son of Daniel, was sheriff of Washington county. His 
son, John H., was a lawyer. Of the descendants now living. Mar- 
garet has been a teacher in the public schools of Salem for fifty years; 
William McFarland, a retired merchant, has represented his town 
on the board of supervisors and as a diretcor of the First National 
Bank of Salem; John W. is a merchant; these two are sons of 
James A. McFarland and his wife, Mary Proudfit. Mrs. Henry 
Culver and Mitchell McFarland live iti Cambridge; Mrs. Xathan 
Skinner and Mrs. James McFarland, in Denver, Col.; these are 
children of Col. John McFarland and his wife, Nancy McMurray; 
Mrs. Hiram Viele, a daughter of William McFarland and his wife, 
Mary Fitch, in Akron, Ohio. 

QUA 

John Qua came from Ireland with his wife, Jane McGilry, in 1774, 
and settled in Hebron, and had four children, Robert, David, Andrew 
and Martha. David spent his life at the old homestead, and had 
two children, Andrew and David, who, after his death, came to 
Shushan, in 1836. Andrew and David were educated in Cambridge 
Academy and became prominent in the community as teachers of 
common schools. David graduated in Cambridge and began teach- 



64 THE SALEM BOOK 

ing at the age of 17. His proficiency as a teacher and his ability in 
educational matters is attested by his election as school commissioner 
of the first district of Washington county. This office he held for 
six years. His services in this position did much to elevate the 
moral and intellectual interests of the schools. In 1843 he connected 
with the Baptist church of Shushan. He has served as a deacon 
therein for twenty-two years, as church clerk thirty-six years, and as 
trustee for twenty-seven years. He has been clerk of the Baptist 
Association of Washington county for ten years, and corresponding 
secretary for six years. He is a justice of the peace of this town, and 
has held this position for ten years. He has been a notary public 
for the past twenty-five years. He is a self-made man; he looks 
back with pride to the instructions of a devoted mother. In 1854 
he married Rhody, a daughter of Samuel Van Pelt and Lucretia 
Owen. To them have been born two children, Ida, who died in 
infancy, and Hermie D. Mr. Qua and his brother Andrew still 
live in Shushan. 

ROWAN 
John Rowan was a member of Dr. Clark's colony. He settled 
south of the village on the farm known as the Brown farm. One 
son, Stephen, settled in Salem. He kept a hotel on the site of the 
present depot. He married a daughter of Hamilton McCollister. 
The late Archibald Rowan, of Argyle, ^vas his son. John Rowan, 
second, another pioneer, was here before the Revolution. He was 
at the batle of Bennington. His home was on Rowan hill, now 
known as Austin's hill. His children were William, Abram, Mrs. 
David Lytle and Mrs. Samuel Lytle. The two pioneers w r ere 
cousins. James Rowan, brother of John, second, was a third 
pioneer. His sons were Stephen, James, Jr., and Abram, known as 
Big Abram. Stephen became a distinguished clergyman in New 
York City. 

SAFFORD 

Gideon Saffbrd was one of the New England colony. He settled 
on the Gillis farm. His children were Chester, Gideon, Adin, 
Nathan and Thomas, Mrs. John Mclntyre, Mrs. Carswell, Mrs. 
James Turner, Mrs. James Gillis, Mrs. John Turner, Mrs. David 
Stewart and Mrs. Elias Rhodes. Of his descendants, David H. and 
Myron C. reside in Salem. 



OLD FAMILIES 65 

SAVAGE 

The Savage family is of French origin. They were driven from 
France by the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685. They set- 
tled for a time in the north of Ireland. Members of the family in- 
termarried with persons of Scottish descent. A portion of the 
family came to America in 171 7 and settled in Massachusetts. John 
Savage was appointed captain of a c vmpany of volunteers in 1758 
and served under General Bradstreet in his expedition against Fort 
Frontenac and under General Abercrombie in the assault of Fort 
Ticonderoga. He removed to Salem in 1767 and died there in 
1792, aged 85; Edward Savage, a son of John, was born in Rutland, 
Mass., in 1745. He came to Salem with the family in 1767. He 
married Mary McNaughton. He was the first sheriff of the county 
after the Revolutionary war; he was also surrogate. He was a mem- 
ber of the state legislature for twenty-one years and was three times 
elected a member of the council of appointment. He took part in 
the battle of Plattsburg in 1814, and died in 1833, aged 87. His son, 
John Savage, was born in Salem, February 22d, 1779. He was 
educated at Salem Academy and Union College. He studied law in 
the office of Judge Woodworth, in Troy. He opened a law office in 
Salem in 1803. He served two terms in congress, in 1814 and 1816. 
In 1816 he married Ruth Wheeler, of Lanesboro, Mass. He moved 
to Albany in 1821, where he lived until 1837, when he moved to 
Utica. In 1840 he returned to Salem and remained eleven years, 
when he again returned to Utica, where he died October 19th, 1863, 
aged 84. He held many places of trust and honor and from 1822 to 
1836 was chief justice of the Supreme Court of the state of New 
York. 

John A. Savage is the son of Abram Savage and Mary Thomas. 
He was educated in Salem Academy and Union College. He studied 
theology and was pastor of the Presbyterian church at French 
Mills, received the degree of D. D. from Union College, was chosen 
president of Carroll College, Wisconsin, and during his services 
there died. Edward Savage, another son of Abram, also a graduate 
of Union College, married a daughter of the Rev. Dr. Van Vechten, 
of Schenectady. He was professor of Greek and Latin in Union Col- 
lege at the time of his death. He left one son, Edward. Of the de- 
scendants of the family now living, there are Mrs. Mary Rogers, Mrs. 
John Allen, daughters of Abram and his second wife, Hannah Haw- 



66 THE SALEM BOOK 

ley, and Lanra, a daughter of the late Chief Justice Savage, who lives 
in Utica. 

STEELE 

James Steele with his wife and one son, John, emigrated from Ire- 
land prior to the war for independence and settled in the south part 
of the town of Salem. Of the Steeles who became prominent, John 
D. was a clergyman in the Dutch Reformed church; also his son 
Richard. Of the descendants in this vicinity, Thomas S. Steele re- 
sides on the old homestead with his son Frank; Thomas, Henry and 
Tompkins live in Marshalltown, Iowa; Rev. Richard Steele, in De- 
troit, Mich.; and Daniel T., in Salem. 

THOMPSON 
William Thompson with his wife Sarah Rowan came from Ireland 
with the original Scotch-Irish colony. He was a capenter and joiner 
by trade, but spent his life in Salem as a farmer. He settled on the 
farm east of the village, now occupied by his grandson, Captain J. 
M. Thompson. He was one of the original elders in Dr. Clark's 
church, and had five children, John, William, Mary, Sarah and 
David. David was the youngest son. He spent his life as a farmer 
on the old homestead, and married Grisella, daughter of John Beaty, 
of Salem. They had ten children, William, John, David B., Phoebe, 
Thomas, Robert, Grace, Mary Jane and James M. All of these are 
deceased save James M. David, Sr., died in 1827, aged 48. Of the 
more prominent members of this family, James M., at the age of 
eighteen, joined the militia, became first lieutenant, and in 1844 was 
commissioned as captain of the Light Infantry company of the regi- 
ment and served as president of the board of court martial. He 
represented his town in the board of supervisors, and in 1874 he 
served as chairman; Charles, son of John, graduated at Monmouth 
College, and was a clergyman; James, a son of the captain, graduated 
at Ann Arbor University and practiced medicine at Valley Falls, N. 
Y. Of the descendants now living, Sarah, daughter of David B. 
and wife of Dr. Hill, resides in Cleveland, Ohio; Nancy, daughter of 
David B. and wife of Edgar Ladd, resides in Salem; Hattie, wife of 
Robert Thompson, son of John Thompson, lives in Salem, and 
Captain James M. lives on the homestead purchased through Dr. 
Clark, which has never passed from the possession of the family. 



OLD FAMILIES 67 

TURNER 
Alexander Turner, a holder under the original Turner's patent, 
settled in Salem in 1765. He remained here until 1801, when he 
moved to Homer, N. Y., where he died in 1885. Twelve children 
were born to him in Salem; William, Archibald, Mary, Sarah, 
James, Esther, Alexander, Isaac, Jane and Andrew. James Turner, 
also a holder under the original patent, settled in Salem in 1764. He 
married Susan Thomas, by whom was born Alexander J., the first 
male child born in Salem; Jennette, who married General David 
Thomas, of Salem. Their only child, Jane, married George Vail, of 
Troy; Sarah married General Walter Martin, the founder of Mar- 
tinsburg, Lewis county; James married Eleanor Humsdon. Their 
children were William, who settled at Fort Covington, N. Y.; James, 
who was long a blacksmith in Salem; Susanna, who married John 
S. Hunsdon and settled in Shoreham, Vt; Eliza, who married the 
Rev. John A. Savage, and Jane, who married Wesley Pratt. 

TOMB 
David Tomb, the pioneer, was one of the elders of Dr. Clark's 
church. He settled on what is known as the "Smith Barnett place." 
His sons were James, who settled on the farm adjoining his father; 
John, who inherited the homestead, but removed later from there to 
the vicinity of Syracuse; Rev. Samuel, at one time pastor of the 
First Presbyterian church of Salem, and Dr. Joseph, of Argyle. 

WILSON 
The Wilsons are supposed to be of Scotch descent, and during 
the persecutions in Scotland were driven out of that country and 
settled in the north of Ireland, whence they emigrated to this coun- 
try. James Wilson enlisted as a soldier in the Revolution and was a 
captain in the army of Gen. Gates. Robert Wilson died at the home- 
stead in Salem in 1867, aged 81. David was a Congregational min- 
ister, preaching at Rupert, Vt, and at Port Byron, N. Y.; he died in 
Hebron. Fayette, son of Robert, married Juliette Beebe, of Rupert. 
They had four children, Robert, Clinton, Helen and Fannie. Fannie 
and Clinton survive. Clinton lives on the old homestead in Salem, 
Fannie resides at Johnsonville, N. Y. 



68 THE SALEM BOOK 

WILSON 
Nathan Wilson came from Greenwich, Mass., and married Sarah, 
daughter of Col. Joseph McCracken, and settled in this town. He 
was sheriff of Washington county. His two sons, Nathan W. and 
Job lived and died on the farm. Of their descendants, Charles lives 
in Glens Falls and Mrs. John S. Sherman in Salem. 

WALKER 
Hiram Walker and his wife Mary came to this town from Ver- 
mont in 1836. He settled at Clapp's Mills, now Rexleigh, and was 
a manufacturer. After five years, he purchased from Col. 
McCracken his farm on the Rupert road. Here he spent the 
remainder of his life, dying in 1870. To Mr. and Mrs. Walker were 
born seven children, George G., Lydia, Sarah, Willis H., Thaddeus 
H., Mary and John. Of those now living, George G. resides in 
Brooklyn, Thaddeus in Glens Falls, Lydia, Mary and John, on the 
homestead in Salem. 

There are many names, doubtless, that will be looked for in this 
record in vain. Many families which, in merit and ability, rank worth- 
ily with those recorded. Such omissions could not fail to occur and 
their necessity is regretted by none more heartily than by the authors 
of this book. May that which has been written here stimulate our 
present age to a more zealous cultivation of that family life which 
fills so large a part in the secret of Salem's happiness. 



SALEM'S DISTINGUISHED SONS 69 



SALEM'S DISTINGUISHED SONS 



" Ah! who can tell how hard it is to climb 
The steep where Fame's proud temple shines afar!" 

There are always some names in an old town which become house- 
hold words. They are looked upon with the respect and the admira- 
tion which the Romans had for their household gods. The grand- 
mother never tires of singing the praises of the great men she knew 
in her youth. Whether it is that the men of her times were greater 
intellectually, or the general advance in learning has left a smaller 
chance for the man of the present to stand so far above his fellows, 
is an unanswered question. Certain it is that Salem has had many 
sons who have risen to high places in the esteem of the people of the 
state and nation. In this hurrying, hastening age, the past is so often 
forgotten in the tremendous strife for survival, that this chapter has 
a place recalling the noble past of the great men of the town, that 
they be not forgotten, and that the youth of to-day may be inspired 
to emulate their example in bringing honor to Salem. 

ST. JOHN HONEYWOOD.— There came to Salem at the time 
of the founding of the classical school a young lawyer who 
assisted in sustaining that institution. Born in 1763, at an early age 
he was left an orphan, penniless, dependent upon the kindness of 
friends. By persistent effort he attained a preparatory education and 
entered Yale College, where, by his genius and accomplishments, he 
won the warm-hearted friendship of its president, Dr. Stiles, who 
took him into his own family and treated him almost as a son until 
he was graduated in 1872. After coming to Salem he commenced 
the publication of the "Washington Patrol", on May 27th, 1796. 

Orator, poet, artist and painter; lawyer, editor and civilian; dram- 
atist, satirist and caricaturist — what shall we characterize him? His 
hand was that of a magician ; his tongue had the sweetness and silver 
tone of Chrysostom, with the power and eloquence of Hamilton. 
His pen was that of a ready writer, and like the violin in the hand 



70 THE SALEM BOOK 

of Paganini, would obey his slightest wish. As an educator he was 
as successful as in everything else he undertook, and his friends 
never ceased to wonder at his ability and versatility. 

HON. EDWARD SAVAGE.— Judge Savage comes of a family 
noted alike for intellect and courage. He was of French Huguenot 
descent, his grandfather having been driven from France by the re- 
vocation of the Edict of Nantes. Edward Savage, from the time he 
came to Salem, always resided on the farm since known as the "old 
Savage farm", south of the village. He was a member of the first 
company of militia raised in the town of Salem on the breaking out 
of the Revolutionary war, and was commissioned a lieutenant. In 
civil life he attained high rank. On the organization of the state of 
New York, he was appointed the first sheriff of the county of Char- 
lotte, holding that office until 1781. In 1783 he was appointed sur- 
rogate, and, on the name of the county being changed to Washing- 
ton, he was continued as surrogate with some short intermissions 
until 1 81 6. In 1784 he was elected a member of the assembly, and 
in 1788 state senator, serving in one capacity or the other until 1807. 

In 1793 he was chosen one of the presidential electors, and at their 
convention voted for George Washington for president. 

In 1825 he was again an elector, and voted for General Andrew 
Jackson. On this occasion there was no choice by the electors, and 
the election was thrown into the House of Representatives, and John 
Adams was elected. 

He was elected a delegate from Washington county to the Consti- 
tutional Convention in 1801. In June, 1808, he was appointed one 
of the judges of the County Courts of Washington county. 

The political course of Judge Savage was active and energetic. 
He was a strong anti-federalist, and, there being no paper in the 
county advocating democratic principles, he, with Nathan Wilson, 
founded the "Register," which was successfully published for twenty- 
five years. 

He was an elder in the First Incorporated Presbyterian church for 
sixty-four years, during which time he wore his honors in church 
and state worthily, as became a Christian gentleman. He was laid 
to rest by the people whom he had served faithfully, and " no one 
could assert aught against his character." 



SALEM'S DISTINGUISHED SONS 71 

HON. JOHN SAVAGE, LL.D.— John Savage was born in Sa- 
lem February 22d, 1779, and was a son of the noted Judge Edward 
Savage. He was a student at Washington Academy, and was grad- 
uated from Union College in 1799, receiving first honors in his 
class. He was admitted to the bar and began to practice in Salem. 
In his class, on both of his examinations, was Martin Van Buren. 
In 1804 he was the messenger to carry the vote of the legislature for 
Thomas Jefferson to Washington. He was appointed district at- 
torney for the northern district of New York state in 1806, but in 
1810 ill-health compelled him to resign this position, and he went 
abroad, but the prospect of war became so threatening that he 
hastened home. In 181 3 he was elected to the legislature, and re- 
garding the war as necessary and just he sustained the policy of 
President Madison with great vigor. His party was in the minority, 
but the evidence of the esteem in which Mr. Savage was held is 
shown by his being appointed to draw up the minority report, vindi- 
cating their principles and conduct. He was elected to congress 
in 1814 and 1816, but in 1818 declined the nomination, and was ap- 
pointed district attorney of Washington county. 

As he was sitting in his office one day in February, 1821, Sheriff 
Gibbs called on his way home from Albany. The judge inquired 
if there was any news from Albany. "The main item of news/' said 
Gibbs, "is that John Savage, of Salem, has been appointed comp- 
troller of the state of New York.'' He was thunderstruck, and could 
scarcely credit the news, but, on going to Albany, he learned its truth 
and, accepting the office, he applied himself assiduously to the study 
of it, and soon became its master. With him originated the system 
of taxing corporations instead of the individual stockholders. 

By the new constitution, established in 1822, a reorganization of 
the judiciary of the state was necessary. Judge Savage was ap- 
pointed chief justice of the Supreme Court, which office he held 
until 1830, when he was induced to resign in consequence of the ill- 
ness of his wife. In 1837 he removed from Albany to Utica, but in 
1840 he returned to Salem and took up his residence on the old 
homestead. In 1853 his advancing age, and the infirmities consequent 
to it, made him give up country life for the better conveniences and 
comforts of the city, and he returned to Utica, where he passed the 
remaining years of his life in tranquillity, and died in 1863, at the 
ripe old age of 84 years. 

Judge Savage had some marked peculiarities of character. He 



72 THE SALEM BOOK 

was reserved and diffident to an unusual degree, and to a common 
acquaintance his manner would be considered cold, but among inti- 
mate friends no man was more genial or interesting, and under a 
somewhat dry exterior he possessed great warmth of heart. His 
greatest characteristics were his strong tenacity of purpose where 
questions of principle were involved, and his wonderful power of judi- 
cial reasoning. 

GENERAL DAVID THOMAS.— General Thomas was born in 
Lancaster, Mass., in 1762. He fought through the Revolutionary 
war, and came to Salem in 1784. He first came prominently before 
the people in 1794, when, as member of assembly, from Wash- 
ington county, he made a motion in the House that the state be di- 
vided into as many districts as there were members of Assembly 
and that each of such districts elect one member. He was 
fifty years ahead of the age in which he lived, in expressing the sen- 
timent that representation in the assembly should be as directly from 
the constituent as possible, and should be by single districts. He 
was re-elected to the assembly in 1798 and 1799. 1'n 1806 he was 
elected member of congress, and served for eight years. In 1808 he 
was appointed by the legislature treasurer of the state of New York, 
and held that position until 1813. He was commissioned major- 
general, and placed in command of the northern division of the mili- 
tia of this state in 1805. During his public life, there were numer- 
ous enemies continually trying to destroy him. He was indicted on 
the oath of a worthless criminal for an infamous crime, and on his 
trial was triumphantly acquitted. This did not, however, stop the 
clamor of tongues against him, and he was finally compelled to meet 
an indictment found against him in the county of Chemung for an al- 
leged attempt to bribe a senator while he was state treasurer, to vote 
in favor of the incorporation of the Bank of America. The famous 
trial came on at the Oyer and Terminer held in Chemung county in 
181 2. It excited most intense interest, and excitement ran high. 
The prosecution was conducted by the distinguished Thomas Addis 
Emmet, attorney-general of the state, and the defense was in 
charge of the able and eloquent Elisha Williams, assisted by the cool 
and subtle Ebenezer Foot. Again was General Thomas acquitted by 
the jury. But the continued efforts of his enemies to destroy him had 
its effect and, no doubt, defeated him for re-election to the office of 
treasurer. He finally removed to Providence, and there died at the 



SALEM'S DISTINGUISHED SONS 73 

good old age of 70 years. His remains were brought to Salem and 
interred in the old graveyard, and afterwards removed to Evergreen 
Cemetery. 

General Thomas is described by Hammond, in his "Political His- 
tory of New York", as being "A silent, cautious man; artful, saga- 
cious and possessed of a deep knowledge of men". 

COLONEL JOSEPH McCRACKEN.— Colonel McCracken was 
born in 1736, and came to Salem in 1767, buying the farm now oc- 
cupied by the Walker family, and building the brick house which is 
still standing. H6 is noted for his active and successful efforts in 
opposing the raiders on the "Hampshire grants", in their efforts to 
drive Salem into a union with Vermont. He was one of the party 
that went from Salem and participated in the capture of Skenesbo- 
rough and Fort Ticonderoga. He was commissioned captain in 
1775, and major in 1779. In the battle of Monmouth he had the 
misfortune to have one of his arms shot off. He was carried from 
the field and brought home by his friend Dr. John Williams, to 
whose unremitting care as a surgeon he owed his life. He was 
elected to the assembly in 1786 and 1788. In life he sustained the 
character of a hero, patriot and Christian ; ardent in the cause of lib- 
erty, and unwavering on the field of danger. 

COLONEL JOHN McCREA.— John McCrea was graduated 
from Princeton College in 1762, and was admitted to the bar in 
1766, and entered upon the practice of his profession in Albany. 
When the Revolution broke out, he was, as colonel of the 13th regi- 
ment of infantry, stationed in what was known as the Saratoga dis- 
trict of Albany county. The approach of General Burgoyne ren- 
dered a further stay exceedingly dangerous and he removed to Al- 
bany, and it was while he was making these arrangements for re- 
moval that his sister, Jane McCrea, made her visit to Mrs. McNeill, 
of Fort Edward. While at the home of Mrs. McNeill the house was 
attacked by a band of Indians. Jane and Mrs. McNeill were vio- 
lently seized and carried off, Jane being placed upon a horse and 
Airs. McNeill being dragged along on foot. The Indians were hotly 
pursued by a band of Americans from the fort, who occasionally 
discharged their rifles at the flying fugitives. Jane was shot through 
the body by one of these stray bullets, and, falling from her horse, 
she was scalped by one of her captors and left dead upon the ground. 
6 



74 THE SALEM BOOK 

Colonel McCrea was in Albany at the time of the ''great burning" 
by the Indians in 1781, and had left his youngest child, Eva, in the 
care of a colored nurse, Dinah, who, hearing the raiders approach- 
ing, hastily harnessed some colts from the stable and, throwing a bed 
mattress into the cart, placed Eva upon it and escaped. The burning 
buildings on the river bank above, made it so light she could clearly 
see her way. 

Colonel McCrea subsequently came to Salem and, in 1784, he and 
General Williams were appointed regents of the University of the 
State of New York. In 1785, he was appointed clerk of the county 
of Washington, holding that office for nearly twelve years, and it 
was by his efforts that the records, which were carried off at the 
breaking out of the war by the then clerk, Patrick Smith, a loyalist, 
were obtained and restored to the office. 

REV. WILLIAM McMURRAY, D. D.— Dr. McMurray was 
born in Salem July 6th, 1784, and was a son of Elder Robert Mc- 
Murray, of the congregation of Rev. Thomas Clark. He prepared 
for college at Washington Academy, and was graduated from Union 
in 1804, and that same year was appointed principal of Washington 
Academy. This placed him in a very trying position — a new teacher 
among old acquaintances — but he was extremely successful during 
his short career in that position. After the second term he con- 
cluded to commence the study of divinity. He was licensed to 
preach, and was ordained as pastor of the Associate Reformed Church 
of Lansingburgh on January 10th, 1810. A few years later he ac- 
cepted a call from the Reformed Dutch Church at Rhinebeck, where 
he remained eight years, leaving there to go to a Reformed Dutch 
Church in New York City. Here he remained, building up a large 
and powerful church. He died September 24th, 1835, m the fifty- 
second year of his age. He received the honorary degree of Doctor 
of Divinity from Union College in 1823. 

His spirit, in its natural mould, was one of great kindness and 
gentleness, and his manners were distinguished by amenity and cour- 
tesy. There was blended with this the frankness which always for- 
bade the remotest suspicion of disguise; a clear, well-balanced judg- 
ment; sound, practical sense, and great fidelity to his own convictions 
of right; a most unaffected humility, and a delicate and scrupulous 
regard for the feelings of others. 



SALEM'S DISTINGUISHED SONS 75 

REV. JAMES M. MATTHEWS.— Mr. Matthews was a native of 
Salem, being born here March 18th, 1785; a son of David Matthews 
and his wife, Mary McFarland. He was the last child baptized by 
Rev. Thomas Clark, D. D., in Salem. His early education was re- 
ceived at Washington Academy, and he was graduated from Union 
College in 1803. He studied for the ministry under Rev. James 
Proudfit, and concluded his studies under Dr. Mason. He was 
licensed to preach by the New York Presbytery in 1807, and after- 
wards ordained by the same. In 181 1 and 1812 he supplied the pul- 
pit of the South Reformed Church, New York City, and in 1813, re- 
ceived a call from that church. He was the assistant of Dr. Mason 
in the Theological Seminary from 1809 to 1818 and was chancellor 
of the University of New York from 183 1 to 1839. He died in New 
York City January 28th, 1870. 

During his lifetime he was a frequent visitor to Salem, often 
preaching in the United Presbyterian Church, and he attended and 
delivered an address at the Centennial of that church in 1867. 

HON. JAMES GIBSON.— James Gibson was born in Salem, 
September 5th, 1816. When he was eleven years old his father died, 
leaving him and his brothers and sisters with nothing to depend upon 
for their support but their own exertions. With a determination 
and energy that have since characterized his life, be began the strug- 
gle that has placed him in the foremost ranks of the legal profes- 
sion. He was educated at Washington Academy, and, in 1836, at the 
age of 20 years, was admitted to practice, having a deep knowledge 
of the fundamental principles of the law. During his fifty years of 
professional life, many important causes have been intrusted to him, 
and by his deep research into the principles and logic of law, and the 
science of jurisprudence, he has been the instrument for determining 
the law in our courts on many novel questions. From 1853 until his 
retiring from active practice, Mr. Gibson was largely engaged in 
railroad suits, and was the attorney for the Boston, Hoosac Tunnel 
and Western Railway Company in many of the greatest railroad 
legal battles in the history of the law. 

He assumed the editorial chair of "The Washington County Post" 
in 1838, in the interest of the whig party, and edited it through the 
presidential campaign of 1840. In 1848 he was their candidate for 
justice of the Supreme Court and was defeated, although running over 
one thousand votes ahead of his ticket in this countv. His defeat 



76 THE SALEM BOOK 

was due to his connection with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows, as at that time the feeling against secret societies was very 
strong. 

In 1850, Mr. Gibson was elected county judge of Washington 
c< unity, and in 1866 he was elected to the senate. There his reputation 
had so far preceded him that he was made chairman of the committee 
on claims, and a member of the judiciary committee. In 1840 Judge 
Gibson raised a company of light infantry, which was attached to 
the 50th regiment of the state militia. He was promoted to the lieu- 
tenant-colonelcy of that regiment, and, on its being disbanded, he 
was attached to the 13th regiment of the national guard, and subse- 
quently was promoted to the colonelcy of that regiment. In 1867, 
he became brigadier-general of the 12th brigade, which was dis- 
1 landed in 1874. 

Mr. Gibson has always taken a great interest in Odd Fellowship 
and Free Masonry. He became an Odd Fellow in 1845, an d rose 
to the highest office in the lodge, and in 1859 was elected grand mas- 
ter of the grand lodge of the state of New York. 

In i860, he was elected worshipful master of Salem Lodge No. 
391, Free and Accepted Masons, and, rising in this order, he became 
grand master of the grand lodge of the state of New York in 1868, 
and was re-elected in 1869. On June 8th, 1870, he, assisted by the 
grand lodge and twelve thousand of the craft, laid the corner-stone 
of the Masonic Temple in New York City. He has been grand 
master of both of these great fraternities, an eminence to which no 
other person in New York state has ever attained. 

In 1867, it was found necessary to repair the court house, and then 
a discussion arose as to the advisability of building a new one. Mr. 
Gibson was in favor of a new court house, and in 1868 was elected 
supervisor with that purpose in view, and although other towns 
wanted the court house and made a strong effort to get it away from 
Salem, yet it was resolved to build in Salem, and Mr. Gibson was ap- 
pointed chairman of the building committee. 

Judge Gibson has been a member of the board of trustees of 
Washington Academy over fifty years, and has served on the 
board of education forty-four years. He has devoted a great 
deal of his time during the past few years to the collection of his- 
torical data, and on the formation of the Washington County Histor- 
ical Society in 1876, was elected its president. His personal ap- 
pearance, as given in the "Life Sketches of Members of the Legis- 



SALEM'S DISTINGUISHED SONS 77 

lature", is as follows: "Senator Gibson is a gentleman of quiet dig- 
nity. His long, flowing hair and whiskers, tinged with gray, his 
mild eye, which seems to be overflowing with kindly feelings, his 
low persuasive voice, which is seldom brought up to a high pitch, 
unite in throwing around him a personal atmosphere which renders 
his presence both pleasant and powerful", and another writer adds: 
"Judge Gibson has passed the meridian of life, but his mind is as 
powerful, his blue eyes as bright, his step as active and he toils as 
in by-gone years. Cautious and firm as a legislator, righteous as a 
judge, of highest honor as a man, of signal ability in his profession, 
rich in experience, large-hearted, of great energy, faithful in all his 
relations, above fear and beyond reproach — such are the qualities 
which this gentleman possesses." 

GENERAL JOHN WILLIAMS.— John Williams was born at 
Barnstaple, England, in 1752, and, obtaining a liberal education, 
made medicine and surgery his profession. He came to Salem in 
1773, and there continued the practice of his profession with marked 
success, so winning the confidence of the community that at the 
breaking out of the Revolution he was chosen as one of its repre- 
sentatives to the provincial congress. He was thrice re-elected to 
this body, and served during its entire existence, acting on many of 
the most important committees where his great mental ability, tact 
and diplomacy made him a valuable member. He was appointed a 
surgeon and assigned to duty in one of the regular regiments, and 
in 1776, on the unanimous request of the committee of safety of 
Charlotte county, he was commissioned colonel of the regiment 
then being raised and remained its commanding officer, except for a 
brief period, during the war till his subsequent promotion in 
1786 to be brigadier-general of the brigade. 

In times of peace his great ability still kept him in the service of 
the people and the state. He was a member of the convention by 
which the state of New York adopted the constitution of the United 
States. He served in the legislature as assemblyman and senator 
from 1777 to 1795, and represented this district in congress from 
1792 to 1796, and from the organization of this state to the time of 
his death, nearly twenty-five years, he held the office of judge of the 
county courts. Much of this time he also held the office of super- 
visor of the town of Salem. 

General Williams was the largest landholder the county ever knew. 



7 8 THE SALEM BOOK 

At one time he owned all the lands of Hampton, except about three 
thousand acres; more than half of Putnam, nearly half of Whitehall, 
half of Hebron, a large portion of Granville and more than half of 
Salem, besides separate parcels in various parts of the state. He died 
in 1806 at the age of 53 years. 

Mr. Williams lived in war time, when partisanship and bitter feel- 
ing ran high. His station in public life made him the constant mark 
for the poisoned arrows of enemies. He secured the passage of an 
act taking Cambridge and Easton from Albany county and adding 
them to Washington. This was a great help to this county, render- 
ing it more powerful in wealth and population and increasing its 
influence in the state. It also served to place Salem nearer the cen- 
ter of the county, and thus went a long way towards settling the ques- 
tion of where the court house should be located. 

Dr. Williams was highly distinguished as a surgeon; among his 
associates there was no one who surpassed him as a scholar and a 
linguist. He was a hard and close student, and ranked among the 
learned men of his time. 

One proof of his ability and exertions while in the legislature is 
shown by the passage of a resolution in both houses to appoint a 
joint committee to consider the subject of opening the Hudson river 
west to the great lakes and north to Lake Champlain. Of this com- 
mittee he was made chairman. On February 7th, 1792, he brought 
in a bill authorizing the construction of the proposed works, and it 
became a law March 30th of that year. 

To General Williams and his descendants is the town of Salem 
largely indebted for her prosperity and growth in the past. His 
great skill as a lawgiver, his strong and learned mind, his courage 
on the field of battle, his ability as shown in times of peace, all tend 
to make him one of the most remarkable and prominent men of the 
Revolutionary epoch. 

JOHN FRANCIS WILLIAMS, Ph. D.— On November 9th, 
1891, there died in Ithaca a young man whose life had been full ot 
study, followed by the success which is sure to follow earnest effort. 
Admired for his learning by students of science the world over, 
respected and honored by everyone who knew him, dearly beloved 
by his friends, it was of him that Bishop Doane was moved to say: 
"It seems incredible to those who knew him that he could have done 
so much and died so young, and the record, I think, is worth making 



SALEM'S DISTINGUISHED SONS 79 

as a lesson to us all, young men and old, of the duty of redeeming the 
time, be it long or short, of every life. The story of this short life 
is consistent and continuous from the beginning, and its character- 
istic is manliness." 

John Francis Williams was the only son of John Martin Williams, 
and a great-great grandson of General John Williams. He was 
born October 25th, 1862, and spent his boyhood in Salem. He en- 
tered St. Paul's school, Concord, and, on leaving there, became a 
student in the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, from which, in 1883, 
he was graduated with distinguished honor. On finishing his course 
of study at that institution he matriculated at the Georgia Augusta 
University, Gottingen, Germany, where he remained until 1887, and, 
from that renowned institution he received the degree 
of Doctor of Philosophy. The thesis prepared by him was an ex- 
haustive investigation of the geological and mineral formations of 
Mount Amiata, and is written in German. 

On returning to America he was made director of the Technical 
Museum of the Pratt Institute at Brooklyn, where he remained until 
1889, when he was chosen an honorary fellow of Clark University, 
of Worcester, Mass. In October of that year he went to Arkansas 
for the purpose of working up the crystalline rocks of Arkansas 
for' the state geological survey, and in this work his strong constitu- 
tion was greatly undermined. He had just entered upon his duties 
as assistant professor of geology in Cornell University when he was 
stricken with paralysis. 

Dr. Williams was a member of the American Association for the 
Advancement of Science; of the American Institute of Mining En- 
gineers; of the Norske Turistforenings, Christiania, Norway; of the 
German Chemical Society of Berlin, and of other scientific bodies. 

And thus he died. In the glory of his manhood, and with ambi- 
tion fully to develop his natural gifts, and to make his life one of 
usefulness to his fellow men, he fell in the midst of the strife, with his 
armor on. He has left a noble record, and his twenty-nine years, if 
multiplied by the number of his achievements, would constitute a 
full and finished life. 



8o THE SALEM BOOK 



THE OLD WHITE CHURCH 
* 

The first minister in all the region between Albany and the Canada 
line was Rev. 'i nomas Clark, M. D. This apostolic man was born 
in Galloway, Scotland, about 1722. We may safely conjecture that 
he was trained in one of Scotland's pious homes. He secured the 
best education his country and his time could afford. He graduated 
at the University of Glasgow, where he also pursued a thorough 
course of medical study and received the degree of Doctor of Med- 
icine. In 1745 and 46 we find him in the ranks of the king's army, 
lighting against the pretender, Charles Edward, whose cause per- 
ished in the battle of Culloden Moor. In 1747 Dr. Clark became 
identified with the Associate Burgher Presbytery of Glasgow and 
studied theology under the direction of Rev. Ebenezer Erskine. He 
was licensed to preach in April, 1748. About this time petitions 
came before the Burgher Synod from the destitute congregations of 
Killemv, Ballemoney and Ballibay, in Ireland, and Dr. Clark was 
appointed to visit them. The Presbyterians in the north of 
Ireland were descendants of the Scotch Covenanters, who went 
thither to escape persecution for having disowned the unprincipled 
Charles II, as their lawful sovereign; also for denying the right of 
James, Duke of York, to the succession. 

In 1690 the persecution ceased because of the accession of William 
and Mary to the throne, and Presbyterianism was established in 
Scotland; but to avoid stirring up trouble several hundred Church of 
England incumbents were allowed to retain their charges. "These 
men," said Bishop Burnet, "were the poorest preachers I ever heard." 
They were very ignorant, and many of them were morally deficient. 
A rapid growth of error in life and doctrine was the natural result. 
Prof. Simpson, in the chair of divinity at Glasgow, was permitted 
unrebuked to teach some of the worst errors of heathenism. The 
church, having been established by law, was supplied with ministers. 
not by the choice of the people, but by the presentation of a patron. 



THE OLD WHITE CHURCH 81 

Congregations were compelled to do one of two things: either to 
listen to the preaching thus provided, no matter how imscriptural it 
might be, or to withdraw from the established church and worship 
by themselves. This latter course was followed in many instances, 
and it was over one of these seceding congregations in Ireland, that 
of Ballibay, Monaghan county, that Dr. Clark was finally settled as 
pastor. He was installed July 23d, 1751, having been previously 
ordained to the ministry by three ministers from the Presbytery of 
Glasgow, who were appointed to fix the pastoral relation. 

Dr. Clark was a man of great independence of character, as is 
shown by his refusal to fall in with the superstitious custom of swear- 
ing in court by kissing the Gospels. He also refused to take the oath 
of abjuration, by which the swearer bound himself to own the king 
as head of the church, and to help the bishops dethrone the king, if 
ever he should become a Presbyterian. This caused Dr. Clark to 
be an object of reproach and persecution. The members of Mr. 
Jackson's congregation in Ballibay, from which Dr. Clark's church 
seceded, waited for an opportunity to arrest the intrepid young pastor 
on the charges of disloyalty. Shortly after this, when Dr. Clark was 
acting as moderator to a call in New Bliss, he was arrested and taken 
by a strong guard to a tavern, where he was kept until the following 
day, when he was escorted to the Monaghan jail. The day of trial 
came three months later, and Dr. Clark was discharged on the 
ground that the commitment was erroneous. He was then advised by 
his friends to prosecute those who had inflicted this injustice upon 
him, but he preferred to follow the teaching of Gospel and to reward 
evil with good. It seems that he was confined in jail a second time, 
but it is not known for how long. 

Dr. Clark wrote several affectionate letters to his congregation 
while he was in prison, and these were read at the close of worship 
on the Sabbath. These letters were afterward published in book 
form. A copy of the volume containing them is to be found in the 
Salem public library. He also preached to the people who came on 
the Sabbath to hear the counsels of their beloved pastor. While he 
was thus "an ambassador in bonds" he baptized thirteen of their chil- 
dren and married one couple, who were afterwards under his pastoral 
care in South Carolina. 

This rough usage did not serve to make the subject of our sketch 
especially grateful to his native land. His attention was naturally 



82 THE SALEM BOOK 

directed to America as a field of labor where he might be unham- 
pered by restrictions violating his conscience. One circumstance 
that may have confirmed this desire was the death of his beloved 
wife, which occurred on the 18th day of December, 1762. The fact 
that she was a godly woman, who shared with her husband the bur- 
den of caring for the spiritual interests of his people, made this a 
trial to the congregation, as well as a sad blow to their pastor. 

Two needy churches in America, one in Rhode Island and one 
near Albany, N. Y., requested that Dr. Clark might be appointed to 
preach to them the word of life, but Providence had so ordered that 
the church in Ballibay should become the "church in the wilderness" 
with a mission to send out her children to break the bread of life 
to hungry souls. Accordingly, Dr. Clark and three hundred of his 
people set sail from Newry, Ireland, May 16th, 1764. They reached 
New York on the 28th of July, after an uneventful voyage. Here 
the party divided, one part going to South Carolina and the other to 
Stillwater. 

In the spring of 1765 Dr. Clark visited wTiat is now called Salem 
and held divine service in the cabin of James Turner. Through the 
agency of Dr. Clark 12,000 acres in the town of Salem were procured 
on favorable terms, and this opened the way for the general settle- 
ment of the place, which occurred in 1767. As there were no 
"Burgher" churches in this country with which Dr. Clark might 
become affiliated, he applied for admission to the Anti-Burgher 
Associate Presbytery of Pennsylvania, and was admitted into their 
fellowship on the 2d of September, 1765. 

Someone who is familiar with the history of Salem has said that "a 
book of one hundred pages might easily be written about Dr. Clark, 
leaving out the anecdotes." The universal testimony concerning him 
is that he was earnestly devoted to his congregation. He was min- 
ister, physician, and real estate manager all in one. Every year he 
collected $1,500 in rents and carried the same on horseback 200 
miles to New York for the agents from whom the land was pur- 
chased. We shall never know how much he did, under the direction 
of Providence, to lay the foundations of this community. One thing 
is true of the church which he brought with him and so faithfully 
served which cannot be said of many other churches in our land, if, 
indeed, it can be said of one — over fifty young men under her foster- 
ing care have entered the ministry of Jesus Christ. With all 



THE OLD WHITE CHURCH 83 

the worldly burdens that rested upon the shoulders of the untiring 
pastor, his fervor was not lessened for the spiritual interests of his 
flock. It is said that whenever he chanced to pass along a shady 
road it was his custom to dismount and under some tree of the 
forest intercede with God in prayer for the people whom he loved. 

In 1782 Dr. Clark, having resigned his charge in Salem, visited 
that portion of the former congregation which went to Long Cane 
and Cedar Spring in South Carolina. He accepted a call to be their 
pastor, and labored among them with remarkable success until his 
death, which occurred Dec. 26th, 1792. He visited Salem a number 
of times while he was pastor in the south, and baptized several 
children. « 

Dr. Clark died from apoplexy, while sitting in his chair. Before 
him on the table lay an epistle to his former congregation in Ballibay, 
dated March 25th, 1791. It seems that he had just finished the 
letter when the hand of death was laid upon him. The closing words 
were: "What I do thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know 
hereafter." 

The second pastor of the United Presbyterian congregation was 
the Rev. James Proudfit. He was born near Perth, Scotland, in the 
year 1732. Great care was bestowed by his parents on his religious 
education, and at an early age he was inclined towards the ministry 
of the Gospel. He graduated at one of the universities and studied 
theology under the direction of Rev. Alexander Moncrieff. He was 
licensed to preach in 1753, and in July, 1754, was ordained with a 
view to sending him as a missionary to America. He landed in 
Boston September, 1754, and went at once to join a ministerial 
brother previously sent out, who was laboring in Eastern Pennsylva- 
nia. He performed itinerant missionary work four years, and was 
then called to be pastor of the church in Pequea, Lancaster county, 
Pa. It was while Mr. Proudfit was pastor of this church that he 
became prominent by reason of his casting vote as moderator, which 
sealed the union between the Associate and Reformed churches in 
the United States. This occurred in 1782; and at this time the 
pulpit of the church in Salem had been vacant for a number of 
months. It happened, also, at this juncture that the church in Pequea 
was greatly diminished in numbers on account of the Revolutionary 
war, and Mr. Proudfit was the more ready to listen to the call that 
was brought to him on horseback through the unbroken forest by 



84 THE SALEM BOOK 

one of the elders of the church in Salem. Ministers were not plen- 
tiful in those clays, as may be inferred from the fact that Mr. Proudfit 
was the only settled pastor of his own denomination within a dis- 
tance of one hundred and fifty miles, and there was "scarcely a min- 
ister/' says one writer, "of any denomination north or west of Albany 
in the state." Mr. Proudfit accordingly followed the method of his 
predecessor, and preached occasionally in Cambridge and Argvle, 
and even went at times to fill appointments in Saratoga county and 
in Montgomery count}-. 

After eleven years of arduous service Mr. Proudfit's health besran 
to fail. In 1795, as he was conducting a Sabbath morning service, 
he sank down under a stroke of paralysis, and was carried home in 
an unconscious condition. Although he survived this shock, both 
mind and body were greatly impaired by it. He did not preach 
again, but was able to read the psalm and give the exposition of it as 
was customary in those days. The remainder of the service was 
conducted by his son and colleague, Rev. Alexander Proudfit, who 
was settled May 13th, 1795. At the sacrament of the Lord's Supper 
Mr. Proudfit usually made a brief address at one of the tables. The 
last time he attempted this service he could only utter in faltering 
tones, yet with great tenderness the words: "Remember the word 
unto thy servant upon which thou hast caused me to hope — this is 
my comfort in mine affliction." 

At the close of Air. Proudfit's ministry the church numbered 300 
in membership. There were only two churches in the Associate Re- 
formed body at that time which surpassed this church in the number 
of its members. 

On the 22(1 of October, 1892, Mr. Proudfit entered into rest. His 
ministry was successful in the truest sense. The Rev. Mr. Macken- 
zie in his "Historical Sermon" has quoted the words of Dr. Alexander 
Proudfit, who says of his fathers ministry: "It was as the gentle 
rain and dews which softly fall, refreshing and fertilizing the earth, 
rather than those storms which agitate the elements and disturb 
the order of nature." His preaching was biblical to a marked degree. 
He was so familiar with the Scriptures that long after his mental 
powers began to fail he could repeat passage after passage of comfort- 
ing words and could give the number of chapter and verse of almost 
any portion of Scripture read or recited to him. To him the words 
of the Spirit were "more to be desired than gold, yea, than much fine 



THE OLD WHITE CHURCH 85 

gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb." A large con- 
course of people from far and near gathered at his funeral. The 
sermon was preached by Rev. Dr. Gray, of Hebron, on the text: 
"The righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance.'' The tomb- 
stone of this devoted pastor bears the following inscription: "Here 
lie the earthly remains of Rev. James Proudfit, Pastor of the Ass. 
Ref. Congregation in Salem ; who, after manifesting the most ardent 
zeal and disinterested faithfulness in the Gospel of his Master during 
a period of nearly fifty years, fell asleep in Jesus, October 226., 1802. 
'Well done, good and faithful servant; enter thou into the joy of 
thy Lord.' ' They who turn many to righteousness shall shine as 
the stars forever and ever.' 'Be thou faithful unto death, and I, 
will give thee a crown of life.' " 

It has already been noted that Alexander, the son of Rev. James 
Proudfit, became the colleague of his father in 1795. After the 
death of the father, in 1802, the son became the sole pastor of the 
church. Alexander Proudfit was born at Pequea, Pa., in November, 
1770. He was in his thirteenth year when the family moved to 
Salem. He prepared for college under Mr. Thomas Watson, of 
Salem and Rev. Peter Wilson, of Hackensack, N. J. He entered 
Columbia College at the beginning of the sophomore year and 
graduated in 1792 with the highest honors of his class. He studied 
theology under the direction of his father, and also attended the 
theological lectures of Rev. John H. Livingston, then professor of 
divinity in the seminary of the Reformed Dutch Church in New 
York. 

On the 2d of October, 1796, Alexander Proudfit was married to 
Susan, daughter of Gen. John Williams, a lady of beautiful character 
and fine intellectual powers. A glimpse of their home life is afforded 
us by the following extract from a letter, written in 1868, by Rev. 
J. D. Wells, of Williamsburg, L. I.: "In early childhood I spent a 
year or two about four miles from Salem, and with my mother and 
uncle rode on Sabbath over your beautiful hills to the White Church, 
and was often at the parsonage; and I am obliged to confess that, 
young as I was, the kindness and refinement in the parsonage im- 
pressed me more than the worship and instruction of the sanctuary. 
This I say, only because I so vividly recall the one, and so perfectly 
forget the other. There, for the first time in my life, I heard a piano- 
forte and wondered at the skill which made it ' discourse sweet 



86 THE SALEM BOOK 

music.' There I ate the good things which the pastor's wife knew 
so well how to make and to give freely to her welcome guests, great 
and small. There I often sat on the pastor's knee and told him 
everything that I knew, and received instruction from his lips. The 
air of love and refinement that I breathed in his house made the 
place an earthly paradise to me. It would be a great joy to me to 
believe that the little folks of my church will remember the manse that 
I have occupied, as many years as I remember that.'' 

As may be inferred from the testimony just recorded, Dr. Proudfit 
was an affectionate and wise friend of the children and youth of his 
congregation. He knew all these by name, and he loved to plant in 
their young hearts the seeds of spiritual truth. He encouraged them 
to learn the Shorter Catechism and to become familiar with the Bible. 
He was deeply interested in the schools; it was his custom to visit 
them often, and to call upon some scholar to find and read a passage 
of Scripture which would be the prelude to a tender and pointed 
word of counsel. It was a pleasure to the writer of this sketch to 
hear Dr. Robert McMurray speak of this shepherd of his youthful 
days. At that time there were fewer churches in Salem than at pres- 
ent, and, consequently, Dr. Proudfit's congregation was widely scat- 
tered over a large tract of country. Dr. McMurray spoke of meet- 
ings that were held in houses as far off as the edge of Jackson, and 
other places equally distant. He said Dr. Proudfit would on a 
Sabath morning make an announcement to this effect: "There will 
be a catechizing at the house of Widow Telfair on Tuesday afternoon 
at three o'clock." All the people of that neighborhood were expected 
to be present and to answer questions put to them from the Assem- 
bly's Shorter Catechism. These cottage and schoolhouse meetings, 
with the earnest prayers and affectionate exhortations that would ac- 
company the more formal exercises, must have been of great spiritual 
profit to the community. But Dr. Proudfit was not confined to 
these means alone in scattering the seeds of the kingdom. He wrote 
a number of tracts for free distribution, and had them published at 
his own expense, besides publishing larger works, of which mention 
will be made by another in this volume. 

Dr. Proudfit was profoundly interested in the work of home and 
foreign missions. He took an active part in the affairs of the 
American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. He was 
not only interested in the work of the board, but was prominent in it. 



THE OLD WHITE CHURCH 87 

He had a gift for leading men to contribute generously towards the 
support of benevolent causes. His own example, in giving freely of 
himself, as well as his substance, doubtless influenced others to 
" abound in this grace also." 

In 181 2 Air. Proudfit received the degree of Doctor of Divinity 
from two colleges, Middlebury and Williams. In 1819 he was elected 
associate professor, with Dr. Mason in the Theological Seminary 
of the Associate Reformed Church, and he performed duties of that 
position during one session, but discontinued this extra care, owing 
to the great pressure of his church work. He retained his interest, 
however, in the seminary, and was of great service to it in its later 
history. 

The year 1824 is memorable for the revival that occurred in the 
town of Salem, when one hundred and twenty-five persons were 
added to Dr. Proudfit's church; and one hundred and seventy-five 
were added to the Brick Church, of which Rev. Samuel Tomb was 
the pastor. These two pastors worked together as brothers in the 
Lord, and both had the pleasure of seeing their work prosper under 
the blessing of Him who "giveth the increase". 

In the year 1833, Dr. Proudfit assisted the Young Men's Bible 
Society in raising a considerable sum of money to aid in the circula- 
tion of the Scriptures in foreign lands. His services were again 
solicited in 1835, by the New York Colonization Society, to become 
their secretary. This office demanded all his time and strength, so, 
to the great sorrow of his people in Salem, his pastorate among them 
closed in that year. Resolutions, expressing regret because of Dr. 
Proudfit's departure, and the warmest personal regard for him, were 
passed by a meeting of the citizens, held in the Brick Church. 

Dr. Proudfit visited Salem each summer during the remainder of 
his life, and had the pleasure of speaking a few more times to those 
whom he had carried in his heart so many years. He would remind 
the congregation on each such occasion, at the close of his sermon, 
that this might be the last time they would ever meet on earth, and 
he would faithfully warn them to be ready to meet their Judge, so 
that his preaching might not be a testimony against them. Dr. Hal- 
ley has said that this solemn farewell, which almost choked the 
preachers utterance, found its response in the sobs and tears of the 
crowded assembly. 

Dr. Proudfit died on the 17th of April, 1843, at the residence of his 



88 THE SALEM BOOK 

son, in New Brunswick, N. J., rejoicing in the hope of a glorious 
immortality. "He was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and 
of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord." 

On the 19th of February, 1836, the Rev. James Lillie. D. D., was 
installed the fourth pastor of the congregation. Dr. Lillie was a 
native of Kelso, Scotland, and a graduate of the University of Edin- 
burg. 

He began his course of theological study in the Burgher 
(Secession) Seminary, under Dr. George Lawson, in the year 1819, 
and completed it in the United Secession Seminary, at Glasgow, 
under Dr. John Dick, in the year 1824. He was ordained and in- 
stalled pastor of the John Street United Secession Congregation, of 
Montrose, in the year 1829. In 1833, he resigned his charge, and 
came to the United States. Soon after his arrival in New York he 
was called to the pastorate of the newly-founded Associate Re- 
formed Church, in Franklin street, in that city; and, on the 22d of 
August, 1835. was installed its first pastor. In December of the 
same year he was called to Salem, which call he accepted, and was 
installed, as above stated, in February, 1836. Dr. Lillie remained in 
this place only a little more than one year. In June, 1837, he 
resigned his charge, accepted a call from, and was installed pastor of 
a congregation in Rhinebeck. X. Y., in connection with the 
Reformed Dutch Church. Subsequently he became pastor of the 
Reformed Dutch Church at Hurley, and afterwards of the Second 
Presbyterian Church at Carlisle. 

It is thought that he was pastor of a Presbyterian Church in or 
near Newton, X. J., at the time of his adopting Baptist views. For 
some years after this he was professor in a college in Wisconsin ; and 
also in a theological seminary in Toronto. 

The last ten or fifteen years of his life were spent in London, 
though he occasionally visited this country. During the latter 
part of his life he had studied and given himself to the practice of 
medicine. He died in Kansas, in the year 1875, while on a visit to 
his relatives settled in that state. Dr. Lillie was capable of mag- 
nificent efforts in the pulpit, and he was a strong advocate of tem- 
perance. It is much to be regretted that he did not remain longer 
in a place, and thus leave a more abiding influence. It was doubt- 
less owing to his brief pastorate in Salem that the results of his min- 
istry were not larger and more apparent. 



THE OLD WHITE CHURCH 89 

The fifth pastor of the church was Rev. Ebenezer Halley, D. D., 
who was installed the 3d of September, 1838, the pulpit having 
been vacant, after Dr. Lillie's departure, a little over two years. 

Dr. Halley was born in Scotland, in the year 1801. He entered the 
University of Edinburgh in 181 6, and graduated four years later. He 
studied theology in Glasgow five years, under Dr. John Dick, and was 
licensed to preach in the year 1825, by the United Associate Presby- 
tery, of Dunfermline. He preached thirteen years in Scotland before 
coming to this country. The circumstances of his settlement in Salem 
are best told in his own words, taken from the address which he 
delivered in the White Church, as a part of the centennial exercises, 
in 1867. Among the letters which he brought with him from Scot- 
land, was one addressed to Dr. Brownlee, of New York, who told 
him of a beautiful river called the Hudson, and that if he traveled up 
to Salem, where there was a vacancy, he might spend a fortnight 
usefully, besides having an opportunity to view the country. Dr. 
Brownlee gave him letters to Dr. Forsythe, of Newburgh, and Dr. 
Robert Proudfit, of Schenectady, who both indorsed him to the 
congregation in Salem as an accredited minister of religion. Mr. 
Halley said, on the occasion referred to: "I arrived in this peaceful 
valley on a Friday evening, and preached the two following Sab- 
baths. I had not been long among you ere I ascertained that the 
church was anxious to enjoy the services of a settled pastor; and, to 
my surprise, on the second Sabbath I read an announcement from 
the pulpit that the members of the church should meet on one of 
the days of that week to make out a call for a pastor. The meeting 
resulted in a unanimous invitation being extended to me. I could 
not give an immediate answer (though there was much in the beau- 
tiful scenery and the character of the church to lead me to think 
favorably of it), for I had one linked to me by the dearest earthly 
ties whom I deemed it incumbent to consult on such an important 
measure. She, however, like a good wife, merged her will in that 
of her husband's, and thus, in the mysterious arrangements of Prov- 
idence, I had to cross the Atlantic to become your pastor, and you 
had to elect one as your spiritual guide of whose existence a few 
days before you had never heard, and who planted his foot as an en- 
tire stranger on this western world." Within six weeks after Dr. 
Halley arrived in this country, he was installed over the congrega- 
tion that listened to the first sermon he preached on American soil, 

7 



9 o THE SALEM BOOK 

and with whom he sojourned during a happy pastorate of ten years. 

In 1848 Dr. Halley accepted a call to the Second Presbyterian 
Church, of Troy, where he remained seven years. He then was 
called to the Third Presbyterian Church of Albany. He remained 
twenty years in this pastorate, and then retired from active service. 
After half a century of useful toil in the ministry, he was entitled to 
the name of veteran. As a preacher, Dr. Halley was above the av- 
erage, in the impressiveness of his discourse. He possessed a re- 
markably good command of language, and the Scotch accent, which 
was noticeable in his silver speech, was agreeable, rather than other- 
wise. In 1873 Dr. Halley was elected to fill the office of chaplain of 
the senate of this state, and was re-elected to that position every 
year during the remainder of his life. His death occurred on the 
31st of October, 1881. 

Dr. Halley was succeeded, after a space of two years, by the Rev. 
Thomas B. Farrington, who was installed in May, 1849. I* 1 early life 
he went to sea, and served on board a whaling vessel for several years. 
He studied theology at the Associate Reformed Theological Sem- 
inary, at Newburgh, N. Y., and was licensed to preach by the Asso- 
ciate Reformed Presbytery of New York, in May, 1845. He became 
pastor of the Associate Reformed Congregation, of Geneva, N. Y., 
August nth, 1846. He remained there till he came to Salem. In 
August, 1857, after a pastorate of more than eight years, he re- 
signed and went to Oxbow. He was one of the ministers of the As- 
sociate Reformed Church who did not go into the union of 1858. 
His last pastorate was in Newburgh, in a dissenting church, that 
still claimed to be the Associate Reformed body. His death took 
place there on June 5th, 1875. 

Mr. Farrington was a man of strong convictions, fearless in ex- 
pression of what he deemed right, systematic in his methods of 
work, and prompt in the discharge of his duties. 

In June, 1858, the Rev. J. C. Forsythe was installed by the Asso- 
ciate Reformed Presbytery of Washington. Mr. Forsythe was a 
graduate of Washington College, Pennsylvania, and studied theol- 
ogy in the Associate Reformed Seminary at Allegheny City. He was 
licensed to preach by the Associate Reformed Presbytery of Blairs- 
ville, in the spring of 185 1. 

After a pastorate of six years in Cadiz, Ohio, dating from October, 
1852, he resigned his charge there, and became the seventh pastor 



THE OLD WHITE CHURCH 91 

of this church. During his pastorate, there were added to the church 
one hundred and ninety-two members; one hundred and sixty-four 
by profession, and twenty-eight by letter, — forty-two of those re- 
ceived on profession of their faith being baptized. In January, 1868, 
a revival took place, the religious interest continuing through the 
following two months, and there were a goodly number of conver- 
sions. 

Mr. Forsythe came at a time when the congregation was greatly 
agitated on the subject of the union between the Associate and Asso- 
ciate Reformed churches of this country, which had taken place in the 
city of Pittsburg, Pa., in the preceding May. The congregation 
had opposed joining this union, and there was much feeling on the 
subject. Mr. Forsythe's coming was timely, as through his wisdom 
and careful management, peace and harmony were restored. The 
congregation became identified with the United Presbyterian Church, 
which is now acknowledged to have been the wisest course. 

He resigned his charge in May, 1870, and afterwards served for a 
time in a Reformed Dutch congregation at Farmersville, N. Y., 
and, later, in a Presbyterian congregation in Montgomery, N. Y., 
his present field of labor (1895). 

Rev. W. A. Mackenzie, the present pastor of the United Presby- 
terian Church, is a graduate of Franklin College, and of the Theo- 
logical Seminary of Allegheny City, Pa. He preached three Sab- 
baths in Salem, in July, 1871. The result was a call to become 
pastor of the church, which was accepted, and the installation exer- 
cises took place on the 4th of November, in that year. Before com- 
ing to Salem, Mr. Mackenzie had been for six years pastor of the 
United Presbyterian congregation in Sewickly, Pa. 

His pastorate has been blessed with numerous seasons of refresh- 
ing, one of the most notable of which occurred in 1874. A series 
of protracted meetings was held, in which the two pastors of the 
Presbyterian churches co-operated, and the quickening of spiritual 
life was manifest in both congregations. The meetings were well 
attended, and there were numerous conversions. Mr. Mackenzie 
said, in 1876, with regard to this revival: "Although this season 
followed the sorest sorrow of my life, yet those two months have 
been the most joyful of my ministry." 

During the past twenty-four years the church has given liberally 
for benevolent purposes, and, notwithstanding the many removals, 



92 THE SALEM BOOK 

especially in the case of the younger portion of the community, to 
the cities and the far west, the church has held its own in regard to 
membership. When the present pastor entered upon his work in 
Salem, the actual membership of the church was in the vicinity of 
two hundred, although the number given in the records was two 
hundred and fifty. Some had fallen asleep in death, others had re- 
moved from town without taking letters of dismission, and still 
others had forsaken Zion, "having loved this present world''. In 
five years the number of members increased to two hundred and 
seventy-five, and a somewhat higher average has been maintained 
ever since. Thus has the divine promise embodied in the I32d 
Psalm, and associated in the minds of so many with the communion 
season, been fulfilled: 

" If thy sons will keep my cov'nant, 

And observe what I command, 
On thy throne forever sitting, 

Shall their children rule the land. 

Richly blessing her provision, 

I will fill her poor with bread ; 
Clothe her priests with my salvation, 

Make her saints exceeding glad." 

It is a cause of humble gratitude that there has not been lacking 
in this historic congregation, once persecuted for their faith, but 
now dwelling at peace in a goodly land, a generation of kings and 
priests to stand before the Lord. 

Especial mention should be made here of the excellent "Historical 
Sermon," by Mr. Mackenzie, which was published in 1876; a sermon 
which has furnished much of the material for what has here been 
written, and even the exact language in numerous instances. The 
present writer would hereby acknowledge with gratitude his debt to 
that publication. 

In 1874 a young men's prayer meeting was organized, which soon 
developed into a young people's meeting, and which has been a 
source of power in the life of the church. Many of the young people 
thus trained are active workers in the churches where they now wor- 
ship, and carry with them wherever they go the memory of blessings 
received in that "upper room". In late years, a more complete or- 
ganization, called the Young People's Christian Union has been 



THE OLD WHITE CHURCH 93 

formed, which is continuing the good influences of the movement 
originated twenty-one years ago. 

Looking back over the one hundred and twenty-eight years that 
have elapsed since the days when the fathers of this congregation 
built the log church in which they first worshipped, we may say that 
the people who assemble in the White Church from Sabbath to Sab- 
bath may well be pardoned if they feel a tinge of honest pride in the 
men who, by divine appointment and by their invitation, have stood 
in that pulpit to break unto them the bread of life. Yet it deserves 
to be said that the ministers had good material to work upon — the 
descendants of the Covenanters, who, in the hour of peril, signed 
their names with blood taken from their own veins to the document 
that bound them "to resist religious oppression, and to hold to the 
faith of their fathers all the days of their life". Such characters are 
like the Scotch granite which, indeed, is susceptible of a high polish, 
and will not melt under the heat of the sun, nor dissolve in the rain. 
The pastor who has such men around him to hold up his hands, can 
hardly fail of success. The church, whose members make religion 
the main pursuit of life, becomes a channel through which grace 
from on high descends, transforming what otherwise would be a 
moral wilderness into the garden of the Lord. The influence of 
such a church is felt more widely, perhaps, than most people im- 
agine. To use an expression which a new science has made neces- 
sary, every praying and working church is a "power-house", from 
which a mysterious agency, silent and unseen, goes forth, breaking 
out here and there into a clear, far-shining light, dispelling the dark- 
ness, and revealing to the wayfaring man the way in which he should 
go. Long may the White Church continue to fulfill such a mission. 
May her efforts to redeem society be so honored by the great Head 
of the church that, men, speaking of her, will say: "There was the 
hiding of His power." 



94 THE SALEM BOOK 



THE BRICK CHURCH 

It should be said at the outset of these brief records that Rev. Dr. 
E. P. Sprague, who has so ably told the story of the Presbyterian 
Church in his "Historical Sketch," published in 1876, kindly gave the 
present narrator permission to use the results of his researches as far 
as might be necessary. The privilege is accepted with many thanks. 
Where a field has been so carefully gleaned, as this one has, there 
are not many straws of new information for a subsequent writer to 
pick up, especially one living at a distance from whatever sources, 
aside from the document mentioned, might be available. The reader 
is therefore cautioned not to expect very much in addition to what 
has already been recorded by Dr. Sprague. 

This church was organized by members of the New England col- 
ony, in 1769. Attempts were made to unite the two churches into 
one, but, owing, perhaps, to early training and tradition, this could 
not be effected, although both churches worshipped together under 
Dr. Clark until 1787, when the New England church became strong 
enough to support a minister, and one was duly settled over them. 

Before this time the Rev. David McGregore preached for them on 
two or three occasions, and there is a letter extant, supposed to have 
been written in 1767, entreating his presence and assistance that 
he might open the way for the "resettlement of the Gospel'' among 
them. Rev. David McGregore was a pastor of the Presbyterian 
Church in Londonderry, N. H., and was a man of considerable note 
in New England. He was one of the pioneer preachers in New 
Hampshire. Many of his printed sermons are to be found in the 
library of Brown University. It is recorded also that a Rev. Mr. 
Miltimor* was requested by the church committee to preach on 
Thanksgiving Day, in 1782. It is probable that the reference here 
is to the Rev. David Miltimore, who preached about this time in 
Newbury, Mass. 

The first settled pastor of the church was Rev. John Warford, 
of Amwell, N. J. He had been laboring as a missionary in the north- 



THE BRICK CHURCH 95 

ern part of this state, under the direction of the synod of New York 
and Philadelphia, and it was while he was engaged in this work that 
the New England congregation had the opportunity to hear him 
preach. He visited this place in the summer of 1787, and that he 
made a favorable impression is shown by the call which was made 
out for him in September of that year. Mr. Warford was born in 
1745. It is conjectured that his birthplace and early home was some- 
where on Martha's Vineyard. He graduated from Princeton Col- 
lege in 1774. He was licensed to preach the year following, by the 
Presbytery of New Brunswick, and was by them ordained and in- 
stalled pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Amwell, July 31st, 1776. 
The call to the New England church here was signed by ninety-one 
persons, the name of John Williams standing at the head of the list. 
The salary promised was £120, New York currency. It was pro- 
posed also to build him a convenient parsonage; to give him the use 
of 176 acres of the glebe lands, and to pay into the Widows' Fund 
£116, 13s. 4d., Proclamation money. 

The church at Amwell regretted deeply the necessity of parting 
with Mr. Warford, and would not have consented to let him go, 
could they have provided suitably for his support. The church at 
Salem, as this place began to be called in 1786, offered rather a lib- 
eral salary for those days, if we take into consideration that the pas- 
tor had the use of a large farm, aside from the cash payments. Tra- 
dition has it that Mr. Warford lived on what came to be known as 
the Hawley place, a little southeast of the village. 

Mr. Warford began his work in Salem in 1788, but was not in- 
stalled until the following year. His pastorate continued during the 
remainder of his earthly life. The records of this period are very 
scant. The loss of two volumes of church records by fire, about 
1840, has deprived us of interesting facts concerning these early days, 
and is the more to be regretted for the reason that in the first of 
these volumes was a history of the church in Mr. Warford's hand- 
writing. This first pastor is known to have been an able man, and 
earnestly devoted to his parish. He was deeply interested in the 
founding of Washington Academy, and was one of the original 
twenty-five trustees. The church grew and prospered during his 
ministry, but the financial burdens which they undertook to carry 
proved heavier than they anticipated. A debt of £809, 12s., id. at 
the time of Mr. Warford's decease rested on the church. A settle- 



96 THE SALEM BOOK 

ment was made, however, with his widow, to whom this money was 
due, four years later. 

Two pastors in the village of Salem finished their course in the 
year 1802. They had labored side by side for years, and both had 
done a lasting work in shaping the course of the infant community, 
by holding up before the eyes of the people the lofty ideals of the 
Christian faith. These men were Rev. James Proudfit and Rev. 
John Warford. The date of Mr. Warford's death is May 19th of that 
year. The inscription on his tombstone is perhaps the only writ- 
ten testimonial of his character that remains to us from that genera- 
tion: "He was an affectionate Pastor, Husband, Parent and Friend; 
An Evangelical Preacher, Meek in his disposition, And grave in his 
address." 

After the death of Mr. Warford, the pulpit of the Presbyterian 
Church was vacant four years. There seems to have been two can- 
didates before the church, Rev. Walter Fullerton and Rev. Samuel 
Tomb. A part of the congregation preferred Mr. Fullerton for 
their pastor, and the other part preferred Mr. Tomb. At one time a 
compromise was resorted to, and a call was extended to Rev. Will- 
iam Morrison, pastor of the First Church in Derry, N. H. This 
call was not accepted. The majority of the congregation seemed to 
favor Mr. Tomb, and he finally received a call to become pastor of 
the church on a salary of $600. The expenses incidental to moving 
the pastor's effects from Newbury, Mass., were met by subscription, 
and the use of five sleighs was pledged for the purposes of trans- 
portation. 

Rev. Samuel Tomb was born in the town of Wallkill, N. Y., Jan- 
uary 1st, 1766, two years before his parents took up their abode 
in* Salem. Mr. David Tomb, Samuel's father, was an elder in Dr. 
Clark's congregation, and we may well believe that whatever inclina- 
tions Samuel may have felt towards the ministry, were wisely encour- 
aged. Mr. Tomb prepared for college partly in Salem and partly 
Hackensack, N. J., under the two noted teachers, Mr. Thomas Wat- 
son and Rev. Peter Wilson. He was a student in Columbia College, 
and afterwards studied theology under the direction of Rev. James 
Proudfit, his pastor, and Dr. John Mason, of New York. He was 
licensed to preach by the Associate Reformed Synod of New York 
and Philadelphia, in 1789. He became pastor of the church in New- 
market, N. H., in July, 1793, after declining two calls to Antrim, in 



THE BRICK CHURCH 97 

the same state. He removed to Newbury, Mass., in 1797. The writer 
had the pleasure of reading Mr. Tomb's " Introductory Sermon " 
which was preached the first Sabbath after his installation at Newbury. 
This sermon was preached September 2d, 1798, from the text: "We, 
then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive 
not the grace of God in vain." II Cor. vi: 1. The sermon is in two 
parts, the first setting forth in an interesting way the duties of a 
minister; and, the second part, which was doubtless preached in the 
afternoon of that day, had to do with the responsibilities of the peo- 
ple. Other sermons which Mr. Tomb preached during his pastorate 
in Newbury ought to be noted here. One is a fast day sermon, 
preached March 31st, 1803, to "a congregation that was seeking a 
pastor." (Could it have been the Presbyterian Church in Salem, N. 
Y.?) The text was Acts i: 24: "And they prayed, and said, Thou, 
Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these 
two thou hast chosen." The first head of the sermon was: "It is 
the duty of a people to apply to God by prayer for direction in the 
choice of a Gospel minister." The second: "Those only are quali- 
fied for the office and work of the ministry whom God hath chosen 
for that purpose." The third and last head was: "There are ways 
and means by which God shows a praying people the man of his 
choice." 

An ordination sermon by Mr. Tomb still exists in print; also a 
discourse on Washington. After the close of the Revolutionary 
war there was much vituperation and abuse passing from mouth to 
mouth and we may believe that those in high places received their 
full share of it; an evil which, even in these more enlightened days, 
has not altogether vanished from the earth. The sermon on Wash- 
ington is an eloquent and emphatic setting forth of the precept: 
"Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people." All these 
discourses are to be found in the collection of pamphlet sermons in 
the library of Brown University, and they are of value, not only for 
the historical interest that gathers around them, but for the spiritual 
truth they contain. 

Mr. Tomb was installed pastor of the church in Salem by the 
Presbytery of Columbia, on February 19th, 1806. One pleasing 
feature of the installation services was that the Rev. Walter Fuller- 
ton, who was the choice of one portion of the church when Mr. Tomb 
was also a candidate for the same pulpit, gave the charge to the peo- 



9 8 THE SALEM BOOK 

pie. Mr. Fullerton had for four years been pastor of the church in 
Antrim, N. H., where Mr. Tomb, in 1792, had declined to settle. 

Mention has been made earlier in this chapter of the revival of 
1824. Mr. Tomb had been sowing - the seed for many years with 
no very marked results, and, as a consequence, both pastor and ses- 
sion became discouraged. Mr. Tomb remarked in the preparatory 
lecture just previous to this quickening of religious life, that "none 
were uniting with the church to take the places made vacant by death, 
and he felt as if the church was almost ready to die out." 

The starting point of this revival was the sermon of an unknown 
minister who, one Saturday night, came out of his way to visit this 
place, because there were to be no religious services in the place 
whither he had intended to go. It was so ordered by Providence 
that this stranger was invited to preach in the Presbyterian church 
the following day. He accepted the invitation, and preached a strik- 
ing sermon from Job i: 3, where the account is given of Job's sub- 
stance. The morning service excited much interest, and a large 
company of persons gathered for the social meeting in the evening, 
at the close of which the elders of the church were requested to re- 
main. He then asked each one in turn how long he had been a 
church member, how long an elder, what his own religious state was, 
what work he was doing for the Master, what the condition was of 
religion in his neighborhood, what prayer meetings were held, and 
what Christian work performed. He addressed similar inquiries 
to several ladies, who had not yet left the church, and exacted from 
each and all a promise to visit their neighbors immediately and con- 
verse with them on the subject of personal religion. The revival 
continued two months in full vigor, and extended, as has been said, 
to the Associate Reformed Church, the two pastors working har- 
moniously together. Both churches seemed to take a new lease of 
life from this gracious event, which resulted in three hundred addi- 
tions to the churches, one hundred and seventy-five of this num- 
ber, uniting with Mr. Tomb's congregation. The stranger, whose 
visit was fruitful of so much good to the community, passed on his 
way the next morning. Nothing further is known of him than what 
is recorded concerning his services on that memorable Sabbath. 
Even his name has been forgotten. 

Another revival occurred in 1831, the closing year of Mr. Tomb's 



THE BRICK CHURCH 99 

pastorate, and one hundred and fifty-four persons united with the 
church. 

Mr. Tomb died March 28th, 1832, in the 67th year of his age, 
at the close of a pastorate lasting twenty-six years. His closing days 
were marked by the calm assurance that belongs to those whose 
hearts are fixed, trusting in the Lord. Those who recall his tall fig- 
ure, his long hair and flashing eye, bear witness also to his power as 
a preacher of the Word. It is a cause for gratitude that he lived 
to see the large results of his ministry, which afforded him visible 
proof that his labor in the Lord had not been in vain. 

The relations existing between Mr. Tomb and his brother minister 
of the Associate Reformed Church, Dr. Alexander Proudfit, were 
remarkably pleasant, and we may well believe that their power was 
multiplied many fold because they were united in their efforts to build 
up the kingdom of God. This friendly spirit has continued to be the 
characteristic of the two churches even down to the present time. 
Very beautiful are the words of Dr. Halley addressed to the people 
of the White Church in 1867: "Shortly after your church was 
planted in this valley, another vine, in the good providence of God, 
was afterwards transplanted from New England to this place, and 
thus the descendants of the Puritans and Covenanters have both 
erected their places of worship, and long may they flourish, striving to 
outvie each other in love to the Saviour and zeal for the ordinances 
of his grace." This, it is safe to affirm, is the devout wish of many 
hearts. 

Three weeks after Mr. Tomb retired from active service, a call was 
extended to Rev. John Whiton, of Middle Granville. The congrega- 
tion had become acquainted with him through the assistance he had 
rendered during the revival which was then in progress. Besides, 
he was Mr. Tomb's choice for his successor. The call was accepted, 
and Mr. Whiton was installed by the Presbytery of Troy, March 21st, 
1832. Mr. Tomb presided over the service. Rev. Dr. Beman, of 
Troy, preached the sermon and gave the charge to the people. Rev. 
Alvah Day gave the charge to the pastor. 

Rev. John Whiton was a native of Stockbridge, Mass. He grad- 
uated at Williams College in 1818, studied theology in Andover Sem- 
inary, and was ordained November 27th, 1822. He had been pastor 
in Middle Granville eight years, before coming to Salem. 

Although Mr. Whiton was an interesting preacher and was much 

IL.ofC.i 



ioo THE SALEM BOOK 

endeared to his people, his pastorate here was comparatively brief, 
owing to financial difficulties into which, says Dr. Sprague, "his very 
kindness of heart was largely the means of betraying him". He re- 
signed in June, 1837. 

The membership of the church during this period was larger than 
it had been before, or has been since, viz.: 426. The offerings for 
benevolent objects were liberal, and it would seem that Mr. Whiton 
led the way in the matter of giving. Dr. Sprague relates the instance 
of how one winter morning he gave away his overcoat to an old man 
who had been traveling in the stage, and whose scanty raiment was 
a poor protection from the cold 

"Thus to relieve the wrefcched was his pride, 
And e'en his failings leaned to virtue's side." 

It was during this pastorate that the church suffered a great trial 
in the loss of their house of worship by fire, shortly after they had 
expended $3,000 for repairs. Their courage, however, was equal to 
the emergency, and the brick walls we see to-day, although they sub- 
sequently passed through another fire, are the same that inclosed 
their new place of worship. 

Mr. Whiton was pastor in Enfield, Mass., after leaving Salem. In 
1 84 1 he went to West Stockbridge, Mass., his latest charge, where 
he remained until 1849. During the latter days of his life he was 
one of the trustees of Williams College. He died on Thanksgiving 
Day, 1868, in his 73d year, at the residence of his step-son in Wol- 
cott, N. Y. 

On the 7th of November, 1837, Mr. Whiton's successor, Rev. A. B. 
Lambert, was ordained and installed by the Presbytery of Troy. 
This was the beginning of a pastorate lasting twenty-eight years, the 
longest in the history of the church. Dr. Lambert was then a young 
man, and a recent graduate of Union Theological Seminary. He 
was born at South Reading, Mass. He was trained in a pious home, 
and early became a member of the Congregational Church in that 
place. He graduated at the University of the State of New York, 
from which institution he received the degree of Doctor of Divinity 
in 1854. 

A debt of $7,000 rested upon the church when Dr. Lambert entered 
upon his duties as pastor, but by the use of wise measures and care- 
ful management the debt did not prove to be a hindrance to the 



THE BRICK CHURCH 101 

spiritual interests of the congregation. This debt was increased to 
$10,000 two and a half years later, when another fire left only the bare 
walls of the church standing. Then the burden was heavy indeed, 
but the people, as though they were becoming accustomed to these 
"trials by fire", went to work in a matter-of-fact way, and rebuilt their 
church. In 1853 the last dollar of this heavy debt was paid, to the 
great relief of both pastor and people. The impulse afforded by 
these efforts to throw off the burden of debt, and the sense of free- 
dom which was experienced when these efforts were crowned with 
success, caused them to make various improvements in the interior 
of the church, until it was both comfortably and beautifully fur- 
nished. 

In the division that occurred in the ranks of the Presbyterian 
body at the time of the old and new school controversy, it would be 
natural to expect that this church would side with the new school; 
but skill was needed to prevent strife and hard-feelings on the part 
of those cherishing different opinions. In this crisis the pastor 
showed himself to be wise and judicious. In taking its place where 
it naturally belonged, the church maintained "the unity of the Spirit 
in the bond of peace." 

From time to time during these twenty-eight years the church was 
blessed by seasons of special religious interest, particularly in the 
years 1838, 1840, 1843; I &49 and 1857. Two hundred and fifty-five 
persons united with the church during Dr. Lambert's pastorate. In 
1847 as ne was considering a call to another charge, the congregation 
held a meeting, and showed their desire to retain him by voting 
that it was their "wish and desire" that he should remain with them; 
when he resigned in 1855, they raised his salary to $900, and re- 
quested that his resignation should be withdrawn. He remained ten 
years longer as pastor of the church. 

During his first twenty-five years in the ministry, Dr. Lambert 
was absent but once from his pulpit on account of sickness. He had 
preached to his own congregation one thousand nine hundred and 
eighteen times, besides two or three times as many sermons and serv- 
ices conducted elsewhere. 

Dr. Lambert was a warm friend of the youth of the community, 
and was ready with a word in season, either of warning or friendly 
counsel. He loved to speak of his former instructors, such as Dr. 
Charles Hodge, of Princeton, and Prof. Prentiss, of Union Seminary. 



io2 THE SALEM BOOK 

This latter institution was just beginning its useful career when Dr. 
Lambert was a student, and he was the only living member of the 
first class that graduated there, at the time of his death. 

In 1887 the Presbytery of Troy, of which Dr. Lambert was a 
prominent member, passed resolutions of affection and esteem for 
this servant of God, who had been fifty years in the ministry. The 
second resolution is especially touching, in view of the affliction 
which had come to Dr. Lambert in the loss of his eyesight. It reads 
as follows : " Resolved, 2. That we offer him our warmest congratu- 
lations on his long and useful life, his general good health, and his 
intellectual activity; and our congratulations that, while his earthly 
vision be obscured, his eyes do see the King in His beauty, and be- 
hold the land that is very far off." 

Dr. Lambert gave the best part of his days to Salem, and his re- 
turn to this quiet valley, after ministering in other places, to pass the 
evening of his life was pleasant for himself and his former friends. 
The beautiful home-life which he enjoyed was not the least of the 
rewards which his Master bestowed upon him. Surrounded by the 
loved ones who had ministered to him during these waning years, he 
fell asleep, November 29th, 1893. 

From December, 1865, to November, 1867, Rev. John Henry 
Brodt served in this church as a stated supply, at the salary of $1200. 
Mr. Brodt was born in Troy, N. Y., June 2d, 1827. He was a some- 
time member of the class of 1852 in Williams College, and a graduate 
of Union Seminary in New York. He went to California in 1854, 
and labored twelve years as "preacher, teacher, editor and active cit- 
izen". In 1867 he accepted a call to the Park Presbyterian Church, 
New York, and afterwards became pastor of the New England Con- 
gregational Church, Brooklyn. He removed to Dansville, N. Y., 
in 1872, on account of failing health, and there his decease took 
place September 8th, 1875. 

When Mr. Brodt came to Salem, a debt of $2,000 rested upon the 
congregation, but this was soon paid, and the church prospered in 
many ways under the energetic leadership of this gifted man. Res- 
olutions of respect to his memory were adopted by the session of 
this church, which testify to his power as a preacher, to the earnest- 
ness and efficiency of his work in every good cause, and to his worth 
as a man. 

Rev. Mr. Brodt was succeeded by Rev. Edward P. Sprague, D.D., 



THE BRICK CHURCH 103 

who was installed April 29th, 1868. Rev. A. D. Eddy, D. D., of Lan- 
singburgh, preached. The charge to the pastor was delivered by his 
father, Rev. Daniel G. Sprague, of South Orange, N. J., and the 
charge to the people by Rev. John Henry Brodt. 

Dr. Sprague is a descendant in the sixth generation of Ralph 
Sprague, who landed at Salem, Mass., 1628, and who, before coming 
to America, resided in Upway, Dorset county, England. The family 
have lived in New England ever since. 

Edward Payson Sprague entered the University of New York in 
i860, and graduated in 1864 at the head of his class, taking also the 
first Greek prize. He was ready to join the army, and would have 
done so, had not the quota from his state already been filled. He 
graduated from Andover Seminary in 1867. 

On June 10th, 1868, Dr. Sprague was married to Sarah Frances 
Dering, of Setauket, L. I. Her ancestry has been traced back to the 
days of the Norman conquest. The head of the family was killed in 
the battle of Hastings, fighting in the defense of Harold. 

After thirteen years of faithful and successful work in Salem, Dr. 
Sprague was called to the pastorate of the First Presbyterian Church, 
Meadville, Pa. His labors in Salem were brought to a close Octo- 
ber 23d, 1 88 1, and he was installed over his new charge in November 
of the same year. Six years later he was installed pastor of the 
Second Presbyterian Church, Auburn, N. Y. He obtained the de- 
gree of Ph. D., by passing the required examinations at Allegheny 
College, in Meadville, and the honorary degree of D.D. was con- 
ferred upon him by his Alma Mater in 1884. A further word re- 
mains to be spoken concerning Dr. Sprague, since he is again pastor 
of this church by his acceptance of a call extended to him in March, 
1895, but before this can be done a brief record must be made of the 
three intervening pastorates. 

In January, 1882, Rev. David M. Hunter took up the work where 
Dr. Sprague laid it down, and carried it on faithfully for six years, 
when, owing to Mrs. Hunter's delicate health, he was obliged to give 
up his work in Salem, and go to Colorado. The beautiful new chapel 
that stands beside the church edifice was built during this pastorate, 
with money left by a citizen of Salem for that purpose. Mr. Hun- 
ter was a Scriptural preacher, quiet in his delivery, and always care- 
ful to urge home the claims of the Master upon each individual in 
the audience. During these years he sowed good seed, and the 



io 4 THE SALEM BOOK 

healthful influence of his ministry is felt in the community to-day. 
He left Salem in April, 1888. 

The next pastor was Rev. William Frazer, who, like his predeces- 
sor, was a young man. He came to Salem in October, 1888, and 
remained until February, 1893. A season of special interest took 
place shortly after his coming, and a number of persons united with 
the church. Extensive repairs were made in the interior of the 
church building, and the organ was moved from the gallery to the 
left of the pulpit as one enters the church. 

During the interim between the departure of Mr. Frazer and the 
coming again of Dr. Sprague, the pulpit was supplied by Rev. Daniel 
I. Morrison. The writer of these memorials regrets that he is not 
able to give more definite information concerning these more recent 
pastors. He would be glad, at least, to state in what institutions of 
learning they were equipped for their life's work, but the data are 
not at hand. 

A former pastor, as has been said, is now at work in this field, 
and the church is looking hopefully into the future. Notice was 
given in the "Review-Press," of November 1st, 1895, that Rev. Dr. 
Sprague would be installed as pastor at Salem on the evening of 
November 8th, Rev. T. P. Swain to deliver the sermon; the charge 
to the pastor to be given by Rev. W. M. Johnson, D. D., and the 
charge to the people by Rev. Hector Hall, D.D. 

The trials and triumphs of this church throughout all its history 
have been very great. Three times they have suffered loss by fire, 
and three times the place made desolate has blossomed into order 
and beauty. The faith thus tried knows how to value the promise: 
" Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruc- 
tion within thy borders, but thou shalt call thy walls salvation and 
thy gates praise." May the faith and courage of the fathers be emu- 
lated by their children, and may this branch of the great church mili- 
tant continue the work of winning souls, building them up in the 
knowledge of Christ, until His kingdom shall come and His will be 
done on earth, as it is in heaven. 



THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH 105 



THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH 



Methodist meetings were held in Salem as early as 1821, at the 
residence of Thomas Milliman, in the west part of the town. In 
1825 an organization was formed, and preaching was maintained in 
the court house by regular circuit appointment until 1839, when the 
society, owing to losses by death and removals, became extinct. 

In 1841 three young men, who had lived in Salem, came from Troy 
to visit their friends in this place, and held some religious meetings 
in William McCollister's neighborhood with encouraging results. 
One of the Presbyterian ministers spoke at the last meeting, at the 
close of which several persons came to Charles Conkey, then an ex- 
horter in the Methodist church, and urged him to continue the 
work. In response to this request Air. Conkey held services during 
six weeks. There were one hundred conversions in these meetings, 
and sixty-one persons joined the newly-established Methodist 
church. Mr. Conkey's home was in East Salem, where he lived to 
a good old age, and was much respected by those who knew him. 

The church formed during this season of interest became the 
nucleus of the present organization. In 1844 meetings were held in 
the white school house, on the road to South Salem, by Rev. John 
Fassett, the minister appointed to the Salem mission. The school 
house has since been changed into a dwelling, and is occupied by 
Mr. Ira Nicholson. 

In 1845, under the leadership of Rev. Mr. Noble, a meeting was 
held in the school house referred to, and Thomas Milliman, Sylvanus 
Dickinson, Warren Martin, Hugh Moncrief and Timothy B. Wilds 
were elected trustees of the Methodist church. A lot was then pur- 
chased, and their first house of worship was built. This was taken 
down in 1876, and replaced by the commodious structure that was 
burned only a few years since, but which was sufficiently insured to 
provide for the erection of the attractive building that now adorns 
the site of the first church. 

Through the kindness of Rev. Mr. Rulison, the present pastor, we 



io6 



THE SALEM BOOK 



are able to give the names of all the ministers who have served in 
this church, and the length of their several pastorates. 



1844 

1845 
1847 
1849 
1850 
1852 
i853 
i855 
1857 
1859 
i860 
1862 
1863 
1866 
1869 
1872 
1875 
1877 
1880 
1881 
1884 
1887 
1889 



1890. 
1892. 



Rev. 



John • Fassett one year. 

Edward Noble two years. 

Joseph Harris two years. 

P. M. Hitchcock one year. 

A. Campbell two years. 

J. Phillips one year. 

G. Saxe two years. 

J. L. Cook two years. 

T. W. Harwood two years. 

C. Edgerton one year. 

S. Stillman two years. 

C. Bedell one year. 

T. W. Harwood three years. 

J. J. Noe three years. 

C. R. Hawley three years. 

J. P. Phillips three years. 

J. W. Thompson two years. 

T .W. Hanvood three years. 

W. D. Hitchcock one year. 

Harry Van De Car three years. 

Geo. E. Stockwell three years. 

Junius G. Fallon two years. 

H. L. Grant (appointed chaplain at 
Dannemora State Prison during 
the year; vacancy filled by Rev. 
Lorenzo Marshall). 

Walter S. Eaton two years. 

William P. Rulison 



This completes the record up to November, 1895. Mr. Rulison 
is now serving in his fourth year, in accordance with the recent 
enactment by the conference, extending the possible limit of the 
pastorate from three to five years; and in accordance, we may add, 
with the good pleasure of his people to keep him here. 

This church has proved a worthy fellow-laborer with her sisters, 
in the proclamation of the glorious gospel of Christ. 



A PANORAMA OF ST. PAUL'S 107 



A PANORAMA OF ST. PAUL'S 

Slowly moving across the memory, there is seen by the mind's eye 
a series of pictures which we will try to reproduce. 

The first, is that of a couple in a sleigh, shivering, benumbed with 
cold, well muffled though they are. They press on, while the mer- 
cury sinks deeper and deeper below zero; with Scotch insistence 
they carry out their plan, and arrive, well-nigh frozen, at their desti- 
nation, a small stone church in Arlington, Vt. The service over — 
that of the Episcopal ritual — they start homeward, traverse the four- 
teen miles, reaching Salem almost perished. 

The next picture shows the same couple, one a native of Edinboro', 
the other the son of a Scotch Presbyterian minister, kneeling de- 
voutly in a court room, borrowed for the occasion, and following in 
their prayer books the service as read by a black-robed clergyman. 
There is a baptism that day; when the words are spoken, "Name 
this infant," the sponsor replies, "Henry C. Potter"; he, the first child 
christened in what is to be the Episcopal congregation, so becomes 
the namesake of the one who has traveled from a distance to offi- 
ciate ; the Salemites playfully called that one, " the bishop of St. 
Paul's; " he now owns in reality the title of "bishop of New York." 

The third picture is that of the Scotch lady plying sewing and 
knitting needles, "her candle going not out by night" ; giving music 
lessons by day, and all to earn money for the church, the darling 
object of her heart. Not in vain; for, when we look once more, we 
perceive a dark-browed gentleman, and listen to an odd sermon 
from Rev. Mr. Purviance, in which the natural disorders of the 
earth, its tempests, earthquakes, whirlwinds, are ascribed to demons, 
allowed to use their disastrous power. 

He moves, another takes his place; a young man of fine though 
heavy build; the Rev. Francis Mansfield looks every inch a priest, 
though the surroundings are still the rude and dingy furnishings 
of the old court house. 



108 THE SALEM BOOK 

One short year, and a plain brick building has been erected. Be- 
hind the reading desk is standing a tall, fair-haired clergyman with 
face like a seraph, as he joins with youthful energy in the chorus: 

" Shout the glad tidings, 
Exultingly sing ! " 

Only a few months did Rev. F. C. Wainwright occupy the posi- 
tion; the panorama has moved; and we gaze on a gray-haired rec- 
tor, with broad, noble brow, and strong cast of features — Rev. 
Henry M. Davis. He has gone — gone swiftly from earth, leaving 
behind him the results of twelve years' earnest, patient toil. 

Another picture is before us. Is this the same building? Yes, 
there are the narrow, Gothic windows, but now the roof is groined, 
the walls decorated, candles burn on the altar, brass vases and orna- 
ments adorn it; flowers perfume the air. Crowds gather to listen 
to the rapid, impassioned utterances of Rev. J. H. Houghton; chil- 
dren flock to hear his Christmas tales — till the edifice, even with its 
added transept, proves too small, and a parish building arises. 
Epiphany parties and harvest-home festivals glide in gay parade be- 
fore us; then another scene appears within our range of vision, not 
"still life'' — it is a boys' school, with the rector transformed into the 
head. 

The school slides out of sight; there comes to view the church 
again, as it stands in 1895. The light glances through memorial 
windows, whose flashes of ruby red and emerald green, and amethyst 
purple suggest the precious stones in the foundation w r alls of the 
New Jerusalem; from the pipe-organ issue rich full tones, drawn 
forth by her who well knows how to "play skillfully with a loud 
noise ; " there is a band of singers, among them more than one who 
has praised the Lord, with his voice, morning and evening, for many 
a day. The rector is present, Rev. H. C. Rush; for nearly six years 
he has held his post; but someone else is reading the lessons at this 
service; there is something familiar in the boy's features; we trace 
a dim resemblance, as he stands clothed in his cotta, to the aged Mr. 
Davis, before mentioned, by good rights, for this is his grandson, 
and he is preparing to take holy orders. 



THE CATHOLIC CHURCH 109 



THE CATHOLIC CHURCH 

The Catholic church in Salem is located on North Main street. 
Both the church and the parsonage, which adjoins, are plain brick 
structures, devoid of ornament, or pretence to architectural style; 
yet, standing as they do on a small, but well-kept lawn, their severe 
simplicity rather adds to their general attractiveness. The present 
church was completed in 1889, and takes the place of a simple frame 
building which had served the congregation for nearly thirty years. 

The old church was in itself a bit of history. Its plain design, and 
rough materials, its coarse but substantial workmanship, all told, 
as in so many words, of the struggles and privations of the early 
Catholics in Salem. It was taken down in 1889 to make room for 
the new parsonage, which stands exactly on the site of the old 
church. 

The first Catholic church in Salem was erected in the summer of 
1859, under the supervision of Rev. John McDermott, who then re- 
sided in Cambridge. For some years previous to that time, services 
were held at regular intervals, monthly or semi-monthly, in the old 
court house. Between the years 1842 and 1854, services were held 
here and there, in private houses and at very irregular intervals, de- 
pending almost entirely on the chance or accident that might send 
some Catholic priest into the vicinity. These "stations", as they 
were called, were attended by Catholics within a radius of twenty- 
five miles, there being no resident priest nearer than Troy or Rut- 
land. Now, it often amuses and even taxes the credulity of some of 
the younger members, to hear some old Catholic pioneer tell of the 
long journeys and privations undergone in order to assist at divine 
service in some humble dwelling. 

After the erection of the church in 1859, it was attended by Rev. 
Father McDermott till 1863, when he relinquished his pastoral 
charge, and the care of the congregation at Salem passed to the 
priests of the Order of St. Augustine, and remained with them about 
ten years. In November, 1861, the church was dedicated by the 



no THE SALEM BOOK 

late Cardinal McClosky, then bishop of Albany, and in September, 
1869, the cemetery belonging to the church was consecrated by the 
Rt. Rev. Dr. Lynch, then bishop of Charleston. On both these oc- 
casions a large number were confirmed. 

During the ten years that the congregation was in charge of the 
Augustinian fathers, it was an "out-mission" attended by the priests 
who lived in Cambridge, in the following order: From April, 1863, 
till April, 1865, Rev. James A. Darrah had charge. He was suc- 
ceeded by the Rev. Edward A. Daly, who had charge till September, 
1866. Then came the Rev. Edward C. Donnelly, who ministered 
to the wants of the congregation till November, 1869. From No- 
vember, 1869, ^11 I &73> tne Rev. J. J. Fedigan had charge, when the 
care of the congregation at Salem was transferred by the Augustinian 
fathers to the Catholic bishop of Albany, who appointed the late 
Rev. James S. O'Sullivan as the first resident pastor at Salem. 
Father O'Sullivan remained in charge about fourteen years, or until 
his death, which occurred July 3d, 1887. He was succeeded by the 
Rev. David Sheehan, who was assistant to Rev. Father O'Sullivan 
for some months, and he remained in charge till the following Sep- 
tember, when the Rev. P. H. Delehanty was appointed regular pas- 
tor. The pastorate of this brilliant priest was short, and hampered 
by continual ill-health. He died in Salem, May 6th, 1888. Then 
followed the appointment of Rev. John F. Donahoe, the present pas- 
tor, who assumed charge May 23d, 1888. 

The congregation is in a very prosperous condition. It is com- 
posed mostly of working people and farmers. There is no wealth or 
social prominence among them. All are plain, simple, honest peo- 
ple, whose chief aim is to be good Christians and good citizens — to 
serve God and their fellow-man. In all things pertaining to the wel- 
fare of the congregation, its members are a unit, and it is this unity 
that has been the chief element of success in the great work accom- 
plished during the past few years. Not only has the material edifice 
been built up, but the spiritual edifice as well, for the actual attend- 
ance has increased more than one-third. The congregation now 
numbers about 600 souls. 



THE SCHOOLS 



THE SCHOOLS 

" 'Tis education forms the common mind ; 

Just as the twig is bent the tree's inclined." — Alex. Pope. 

Truer words than these, the poet could not have uttered. We 
stand before the rude block of marble and, under the skillful hand of 
the artisan, see the chisel clear the form designed. The trunk, the 
limbs, the speaking face develop, till the statue, before hidden and 
wrapped in the stone's embrace, lies defined. 

So education, e duco, as its etymology signifies, draws out the 
intellectual form, in which it lies inshrined " 'Mid nature's rude mate- 
rials", to form the future man. How much depends on the words, 
"to form the future man"! How great the responsibility of those 
to whom the human blocks of marble have been intrusted to unfail- 
ingly carry out the idea expressed in these few lines: 

' ' the care be theirs 
No shape unworthy from the marble start, 
Reptile or monster, but with just design 
Copy the heavenly model, and impart, 
As best they can, similitude divine." 

Salem's sons and daughters have God and their fathers to thank 
that a high standard of education has ever been set in this "town of 
peace". That these advantages have been well made use of, the 
past and present history of our town well proves. Many sons and 
daughters, invested with strength of mind and purpose while under 
the shadow of our venerable academy, have left its doors to make 
their marks on our state's and country's history. It is not to be 
wondered at, if we give it careful thought. Very few towns have 
had greater advantages in the pursuit of education. The first church 
was no sooner built by the early settler here than, a short distance 
from its site, arose the first log school house, and the two have ever 
been the living factors in our town. With church and school side by 
side, no wonder success has been ours. Then, too, men of the first 



ii2 THE SALEM BOOK 

character have been the principals of our schools — men who have 
thoroughly realized the importance of their vocation to the commu- 
nity at large. 

Our schools were early established. In 1766, we read of the pio- 
neer log building, standing near Dr. Clark's meeting house, Salem's 
first school house. Ten years later, in the midst of the turmoil of 
war, a school was established in the south part of the town, in the John 
T. Law neighborhood, and there a large number of the children 
of the first settlers were taught. The town seems to have been in 
no hurry to accept the offers of the state under the laws of 1812 and 
1813; for, at the annual town meeting, April 6th, 1813, a resolution 
was passed rejecting the raising of money for the school fund; and 
again, April 5th, 1814, a similar one. Under the amended act of 
April 15th, 1814, a special town meeting was held December 3d, 
1814, and there were then chosen three school commissioners, Isaac 
Getty, John Law and Thomas Baker; and three inspectors, Alex. 
Proudfit, Samuel Tomb and David Woods. This system, with 
inspectors and commissioners, chosen for one or more years, was 
followed till 1843. Supervision by town superintendents succeeded, 
and that, in turn, was abolished in 1856, and, in June of that year, 
the schools passed from the control and supervision of the town, 
after an honorable record of ninety years of town supervision. 

Elsewhere, we read as follows: "The first annual report of Dr. 
Asa Fitch, town superintendent, is a finely-engrossed document, giv- 
ing a clear view of the condition of the schools for the school years 
1843 an d 1844. From that it appears that there were then in town 
618 children between the ages of five and sixteen; that the districts 
received public money for teachers' wages to the amount of $536.60, 
and there were raised by the districts the sum of $680.11. 

There were 1714 volumes in the district libraries. Dr. Fitch, as 
superintendent, carefully defined the boundaries of the districts, re- 
numbered them, and, in addition, officially recognized the special 
names, by which they are no doubt better known than by their num- 
bers. This feature is seldom found in any town so complete." 

" Under the wise management of the noble men of old, followed by 
the vigorous work of their children, the schools of Salem have made 
a long and honorable record. From these hills and valleys have 
gone forth men of education and culture, to wield a powerful in- 
fluence in every sphere of human activity." 



THE SCHOOLS 113 

Let us turn now to the schools themselves, and, especially to that 
one within whose walls the common schools of our town were con- 
solidated and sheltered. That venerable institution was com- 
menced as a classical school in the year 1780. Its work bore fruit 
at once, for, as early as 1780, we read of four young men, James 
Proudfit, James Stevenson, John Law and George Webster, leaving 
her doors, prepared to enter college; and, when cast into the strug- 
gles and trials of active life, each became distinguished in a public 
career. 

Through the influence and energy of General John Williams, then 
a senator from the east district, a charter was obtained from the re- 
gents of the university of the state; and, on the 18th day of Febru- 
ary, 1 791, the school was incorporated under the name of the "Sa- 
lem Washington Academy", the fourth incorporated academy in the 
state. Among the board of its trustees were some of the most em- 
inent men in this country at that time, such men as the Rev. James 
Proudfit, General John Williams, Rev. Cornelius Jones, Rev. John 
Warford, Colonel George Wray, of Fort Ann; Colonel John Thur- 
man, of the town of Queensbury (afterwards the town of Thurman) ; 
Peter B. Schuyler, of Saratoga; Hon. Zina Hitchcock, of Sandy Hill; 
Peter B. Tearse, the sheriff of the county. The academy was organ- 
ized and taught a number of years by the Rev. Thomas Watson, and, 
when incorporated as an academy, was under the charge of St. John 
Honeywood. The first principal of the institution after its incorpo- 
ration was Charles Ingalls, a graduate of Dartmouth College, and he 
remained its principal for ten years. Among the distinguished prin- 
cipals of the academy may be noticed, James Stevenson, who took 
charge in 181 1, Rev. Sydney Weller, William Williams, Esq., Rev. 
James W. Stewart and Henry Boras. In 1852, Hon. James Gibson 
drew the agreement between the board of trustees of the academy 
and the board of education of the village, whereby the common 
schools were consolidated and sheltered within the walls of the acad- 
emy. This led to the adoption of the union or graded system of edu- 
cation, which has proved so beneficial to the youth of Salem. 

At this time the academy was made a free academy to the children 
of all residents of the village of Salem, the first free academy in the 
state, outside of the city of New York, and has remained such ever 
since; of this fact, Salem is justly proud. 

In 1859, John A. McFarland was appointed principal. Professor 



ii4 THE SALEM BOOK 

McFarland was a good example of a self-made man. By the "sweat 
of his brow" he secured a sufficient competence to prepare himself 
for Union College, where he graduated in 1848. He entered life as 
an instructor, and by his natural ability gained rank among the most 
successful teachers of the state, and gained for himself a reputation 
which, emulated by the youth under his charge, enabled him to see 
them after graduation, ranking among the first as attorneys, physi- 
cians, clergymen and business men. Professor McFarland remained 
faithful to his charge as principal, until compelled by infirmity of 
health to retire about two years before his death, which occurred 
March 8th, 1888. 

For a large number of years, this institution of learning was one of 
the most noted in the state, and many are the distinguished persons 
who have attended and graduated therefrom who, though dead them- 
selves, have left honored names in the annals of the state and nation, 
for political sagacity and scholastic attainments, that will redound 
to their honor for generations yet to come. Some names to be re- 
membered are Hon. John Savage, St. John Honeywood, Hon. James 
Gibson, Colonel John Williams, Jr., Hon. Samuel Nelson, Hon. Hi- 
ram Grey, Professor Tayler Lewis, L. G. Harkness, M. D., Rev. Dr. 
Bethune, Hon. John McLean, Rev. Dr. W. R. DeWitt, and many 
others. Well may we say of it: 

" O noble edifice to truth and thought 

A mighty monument thou hast been reared ! 

Commemorating by thy walls revered 

That triune harmony which in thee, sought 

Shall in thy sons find fulfillment wrought ; 

Those three-fold powers, the body, mind and soul 

Perfected, shall by lofty deeds extol 

Thy name which is with greatness richly fraught." 

Washington Academy has not stood alone in the care of our Sa- 
lem youth during the last years of our history. In September, 1882, 
a band of pilgrims went forth from her halls and became the nucleus 
of St. Paul's Parish School, which was opened under the charge 
of the rector, Rev. J. H. Houghton. Thirty-two students were class- 
ified and began their work. Mr. C. E. Ball, of Trinity College, was 
made head master, and remained in charge until Mr. J. A. Hager re- 
lieved him, with Mr. Eugene P. King as assistant. The first year of 
the school was a very successful one, and urged the rector on to re- 



THE SCHOOLS 115 

newed and greater efforts for the following year. Success was mani- 
fest in the fact that for the school year, 1883-84, about eighty students 
were in attendance. When the school started, the idea of a board- 
ing school was not thought of by its founder, but, in the fall of 1883, 
three boys were taken into the rectory, at the request of a friend, 
and thus St. Paul's Hall came into existence. Other friends of the 
rector asked the same privilege, and, in the summer of 1884, the 
rectory was enlarged to accommodate twelve boys in the fall; and, 
again in 1885, for the accommodation of twenty-one. 

Mr. Hager remained in charge till Easter, 1885, ^ r - G. 
B. Towle taking his place, and Mr. F. C. Hardon, of 
Amherst College, Mr. King's, as assistant. In the fall of 
1866, the parish school was discontinued, and St. Paul's 
Hall began its career. No doubt the rector realized the 
need of such a school here in Northern New York. The parish 
school had had but a short existence, still it had done its work, and 
when the Hall was established it gave the school many friends in 
town and country around the village. The four years of its life were 
indeed happy ones, and few or none of its students will forget the 
pleasant hours there. "Aunt Jemima Grinder's Select School" of 
1884, "The Heroes of '76", and the "Woody Hill Toboggan Club'' 
will always be sunny spots in their memories. But to return to 
the Hall. The rectory, during the summer of 1886, had been con- 
verted into the Hall, and, in November, work began with thirty-three 
students. In 1887, Rev. L. M. Hardy took temporary charge as 
head master, with five gentlemen as assistants. The school year 
1887-88 was a very prosperous one, and the attendance larger than 
any of the Hall's existence. In 1888, Rev. C. W. Boyd, of Wesleyan 
University, relieved Mr. Hardy. In 1889, it became evident that 
larger quarters must be sought for the school if it kept on increasing 
as before. In 1890, a property of three hundred acres, about three 
miles south of Salem, was purchased, and named Rexleigh. The 
hope was that this splendid site might soon be crowned with a school 
worthy of the "King's Meadow". With this in view, St. Paul's Hall 
still continued in Salem. Rev. Mr. Parsons was called to take Rev. 
Mr. Boyd's place for 1891-2. It was now clear that the school could 
not continue in Salem with success, so, after the school year 1892-3, 
under the charge of Mr. A. C. Arnold, the school was closed until the 
money should be forthcoming to build at Rexleigh, on a more ex- 



n6 THE SALEM BOOK 

tensive and more lasting plan. May that day be near at hand! 
"Beside the still waters of the Battenkill, upon the bluff that rises from 
the stream, is one of the noblest sites for a school imaginable.'' Some 
day may yet see Rexleigh crowned with buildings, and there "another 
spring of learning" from which our land may draw her increase. 

So much for our schools. 

The well-educated man is greatly needed in every department of 
life. If the politics of to-day and other branches of public trust are, 
in a great measure, corrupt, it is due to the fact that well-educated 
men are too few to perform these offices. Then, too, in business — 
"The man of business, well educated, is justly valuable in every rela- 
tive situation of life, and so eminently contributes to the strength 
and well-being of society, that it is impossible not to contemplate 
his character with an enthusiastic veneration. The man of business, 
well educated, is not only the ornament, but the firm support of so- 
ciety, and by preserving order, regularity and consistency, as far 
as the sphere of his action can be enlarged, becomes one of the most 
useful benefactors to his fellow-creatures." 

Salem sons, let us strive to be worthy of the high privileges af- 
forded us, and as those to whom we owe so much see our struggle 
up the way of learning to become this useful and well-educated man, 
let us give them the satisfaction of thinking: 

"How sweet it is, the growth to trace, 

Of worth, of intellect, of grace, 

In bosoms where our labors first 

Bid the young seed of springtime burst, 

And lead it on from hour to hour, 

To ripen into perfect flower." 



THE PRESS 117 



THE PRESS 

The first newspaper published in Salem was issued to the public 
on June 18th, 1794. It was a three-column folio, sixteen inches in 
length. The title, heading and editorial salutatory are here repro- 
duced from a copy of the first issue: 

Vol 1. No. 1. 

THE TIMES; OR NATIONAL COURIER. 

SALEM (State of New York). 

Printed by George Gerrish — three doors south of Court House. 

Wednesday, 18th June, 1794. 



"May we never seek applause from party principles, but always de- 
serve it from public spirit." 



TO THE PUBLIC. 

The first number of the Courier is now submitted to the perusal 
of its generous Patrons, with the pleasing hope that it will merit 
their approbation and support. 

Comment would be presumption in the Editor, as to the Utility 
of a Newspaper in this infant part of the Country; the peculiar ad- 
vantages arising therefrom, must be strikingly evident, especially to 
those who feel themselves the least concerned in the present political 
affairs of this country, and have a wish to maintain the "Rights of 
Man," and espouse a cause so truly Patriotic, and spurn at every 
idea that tends to deviate from those Republican principles, which 
every freeman of America ever wish to attain. 

The extraordinary marks of applause with which the inhabitants 
of this, and the adjacent towns received the proposals for this pub- 
lication claims my warmest acknowledgments; but the best return 



n8 THE SALEM BOOK 

that can at present be made, is, I presume, to render the Courier suffi- 
ciently entertaining and instructive, of presenting the Public with the 
latest and most important Foreign and Domestic Occurrences. 

This paper is intended to be comprised of original and extracted 
Essays, moral, political, historical, commercial and agricultural — 
Poetry, Anecdotes and abstracts of the most interesting Intelligence, 
which may serve to give the public a just idea of the prosperity and 
political situation of our own, and other countries. To this end the 
Editor solicits the assistance of the learned, who wish the prosperity 
of a fellow citizen. 

He therefore returns his sincere thanks for past favors, and hopes 
from his experience in, and unremitting attention to business, to 
merit their future patronage. And with esteem, remain the pub- 
lic's humble servant, GEO. GERRISH. 

"The Times; or National Courier" was the first newspaper pub- 
lished in Washington count}-; its existence terminated in January, 
1795. A second efifort was mode to establish a newspaper in Salem 
by St. John Honey wood, as editor, and William W. Wands, as pub- 
lisher. They commenced the publication of "The Washington Pa- 
trol" on May 27th, 1796; after a few weeks, however, "The Patrol" 
was discontinued. 

A third effort to establish a newspaper was made by Henry Dodd. 
Its title was the "Northern Sentinel", first published on January 1st, 
1798. Since that time, Salem has not been without a weekly news- 
paper published within its limits, except a few weeks in 1848. 
The "Northern Sentinel" was continued by Mr. Dodd until May, 
1803, when its publication ceased, but it was immediately succeeded 
by the "Northern Post", published under the firm name of Dodd & 
Rumsey, composed of Henry Dodd and David Rumsey. They con- 
tinued its publication until June 6th, 1814, when James Stevenson 
joined the firm, and the firm name became Dodd, Rumsey & Steven- 
son. On December 21st of the same year, the new firm was dissolved, 
Mr. Rumsey retiring, and Messrs. Dodd & Stevenson continued the 
publication. At this time the name of the paper was changed to 
the "Washington County Post". In March, 1831, Edward and 
Henry W. Dodd, sons of Henry Dodd, purchased the printing mate- 
rial of the "Post" and continued its issue until the death of Henrv 
W. Dodd, which occurred on November 6th, 1834, after which the 



THE PRESS 119 

"Post" was published by Edward Dodd until the close of the year. 
At that time, Edward Dodd was elected county clerk, and sold the 
printing office to William A. Welles, publisher of the "Northern 
Star", of Whitehall. He consolidated the two offices in January, 
1835, and issued the paper from Salem as the "County Post and 
Northern Star". Mr. Welles continued its publication until May, 
1837, when it was purchased by Thomas G. Wait, who returned to 
the old name, " Washington County Post," and published his first 
issue on May 17th, 1837. He continued the publication until No- 
vember, 1838, when he sold the paper to James Gibson, who pub- 
lished it through the presidential canvass of 1840. Mr. Gibson 
edited and published the paper over two years, then selling it to 
William B. Harkness, who issued his first paper the first week in 
January, 1841, and continued the publication until the last week in 
December, 1845, when he sold the office to F. B. Graham, who as- 
sumed editorial control with the first issue of January, 1846. Clark 
V. B. Martin soon joined him in his venture, and together they pub- 
lished the "Washington County Post" until 1848, when the firm be- 
came embarrassed and the paper was discontinued. The press and 
type were afterwards sold to Robert G. Young, who moved them to 
the village of Cambridge and commenced there the publication of 
the paper, under the old name of the "Washington County Post". 
For a short time Salem was without a paper. 

Returning to May, 1803, when the "Northern Post" was published 
by the firm of Dodd & Rumsey, we find that the journal was strongly 
federal in its politics. The leading democrats of the county took 
action towards the establishing in the village of Salem a journal to 
advocate the principles of their party. A publication in this in- 
terest, named the "Washington Register", was first issued in October, 
1803, by John M. Looker, as editor and publisher. This journal 
was regularly issued, and supported the principles of the democratic 
party for over twenty-five years. The "Register" continued under 
the control of Mr. Looker for two years, after which time it was pur- 
chased by John P. Reynolds, who transferred it to Timothy Hoskin 
in December, 1815. He was its editor and publisher until December 
24th, 1818, when it was sold to James B. Gibson. Mr. Gibson be- 
came the editor and proprietor the first week in January, 1819. He 
was succeeded by Beriah Stiles, as editor and publisher, in 1822. The 
paper continued in his charge until it was purchased by the firm of 



i2o THE SALEM BOOK 

Reynolds & Warren, consisting of Linus J. Reynolds and Ansel 
Warren, in July, 1825. Mr. Warren's interest was purchased by Mr. 
Reynolds on March 27th, 1826, Mr. Reynolds assuming the sole 
charge. In the spring of 1827 Mr. Reynolds left Salem, and the 
publication was continued with Alex. Robinson as editor, until 1830, 
when the paper ceased to be published. The type and press were 
removed to Greenwich and were used by L. Dewey, in the publication 
of the "Anti-Mason Champion." 

June, 1842, a new publication was established in Salem, under the 
title of the "Washingtonian"; issued semi-monthly by William B. 
Harkness and John W. Curtis. It was devoted to the support of the 
Washingtonian movement in the interest of temperance. This paper 
lived only a few months. Mr. Harkness made another effort to es- 
tablish a newspaper in Salem: in this he was more successful, 
and on the 21st of May, 1850, issued a weekly newspaper, which he 
styled the "Salem Press". Mr. Harkness continued the "Press'' until 
October 30th, 1855, when he sold it to Daniel B. and B. F. Cole. 
The Messrs. Cole were in partnership until the 25th of October, 1859, 
when B. F. Cole retired from the firm. Upon the 10th of March, 
1869, Mr. Cole transferred the establishment to Colonel Solomon 
W. Russell, who, in turn, sold the " Press " upon the 25th of Decem- 
ber, 187 1, to James Gibson, Jr., and Abner Robertson. Messrs. Gib- 
son & Robertson conducted the office until the following year, when 
Mr. Robertson retired. 

During the editorship of the Messrs. Cole, and Colonel Russell, 
the "Press" had been devoted to democratic principles, but when 
Messrs. Gibson and Robertson assumed control, the first week in 
January, 1872, the "Press" announced republican principles. At the 
time of Mr. Robertson's retirement, Mr. Gibson had recently united 
with the democratic party, and therefore conducted the " Press " as 
a democratic newspaper until July 16th, 1875, when it was purchased 
by Henry D. Morris, who issued it as'a republican organ. Mr. Mor- 
ris was editor and proprietor for six years, when it was purchased by 
Elisha D. Thurston. Mr. Thurston took charge April 1st, 1881, 
and continued the publication until the establishment was purchased 
by the Messrs. Cole, July, 1st, 1885. 

During Mr. Thurston's editorial control, the paper remained re- 
publican. On December 8th, 1877, Daniel B. Cole, a former editor 
of the "Salem Press", began the publication of the "Salem Weekly 



THE PRESS 121 

Review", advocating the principles of the democratic party. Subse- 
quently Mr. Cole took his son, Beverly F. Cole, into the business 
with him, the publishers thereafter being Daniel B. Cole & Son, until 
the death of Daniel B. Cole, which occurred on November 8th, 1884. 
After the death of Mr. Cole, Harry E. Cole entered into partnership 
with his brother, Beverly F. Cole, and the " Review " was published 
by Daniel B. Cole's Sons. Upon July 1st, 1885, the " Press " and the 
"Review" were consolidated, under their management, retaining the 
names of both papers, the title being the " Salem Review-Press." 
The Messrs. Cole published the " Review- Press " fifteen months, to 
December 6th, 1886, when they transferred their interests to the 
Senior James Gibson, who became the editor and proprietor, and 
is its publisher at this date — November, 1895. Mr. Gibson is 
assisted by his grandson, James Gibson, the fourth of his name 
engaged in newspaper work in Salem. 

With the consolidation of the "Review-Press," the republican party 
was left without an exponent of their principles. Accordingly, the 
1st of December, 1885, Robert Cruikshank established a printing 
office and, on December nth, 1885, issued the initial number of the 
" Salem Axiom," a weekly republican journal, an eight-column folio 
26x40 inches in size. Mr. Cruikshank was successful in his enter- 
prise. On January 1st, 1895, he retired, his son, Robert A. Cruik- 
shank, taking his place as editor and publisher. 

The newspapers of Salem have always aimed at a high type of 
journalism, and have never stooped to the discreditable methods 
which so often sully its fame. 



THE SALEM BOOK 



LITERATURE 

" For out of the fieldes as men saithe, 
Cometh al this new corne fro yere to yere, 
And out of old bookes in good faithe, 
Cometh al this new science that men lere. " — Chancer. 

Expectation of the existence of a library or books during the first 
epoch in Salem's history is hardly reasonable. It was the first set- 
tlement between Canada and Albany, in an almost untrodden wil- 
derness. The ordinary pioneers in a country inhabited only by sav- 
ages, do not encumber themselves with books, but the settlers of 
Salem were not ordinary pioneers. The two colonies that located 
here, the one from Massachusetts, the other from North Ireland, 
were of that racial and religious stock which regarded the culture of 
the mind and heart above the culture of the soil. They were Presby- 
terians, and were sure to have with them the Bible and Shorter Cate- 
chism, besides, most probably, sermons and tracts of Scotch divines. 
The arrival of Dr. Thomas Clark with his congregation insured the 
possession of many books on religious themes and expositions of 
the Scriptures, some also upon philosophical subjects. Salem's ear- 
liest history is so interwoven with the career of Dr. Clark that the 
little volume of his "Works'' now in the Gibson alcove of the public 
library may well be considered her oldest book. It treats of the life 
and letters of this remarkable man as early as 1751, even before per- 
secution had induced him to seek a peaceful home in the wilds of 
America. While imprisoned for his religious belief in Monaghan 
jail, near Ballibay, Ireland, this devoted pastor still thought of his 
flock and endeavored with his pen to hold them true to his former 
teaching. It is from these letters, which were afterwards published, 
that we form an idea of the books, libraries and literature of that 
early period. In one of them he says : "Read the Scriptures and our 
standards; read ' Bunyan's Conversion,' his 'Pilgrim's Progress,' 
his 'Come and Welcome to Christ;' read 'Boston's Works,' ' Ers- 



LITERATURE 123 

kine's Sermons/ the ' Synod's Catechism ; ' read ' Alleine's Alarm to 
the Unconverted/ ' Bishop Usher's Works,' and 'Rutherford's Let- 
ters.' These have been blest to others, and may be blest to you." 
In a letter addressed to Rev. Mr. Orr, who seems to have held differ- 
ent opinions from Dr. Clark, we learn the latter's estimate of the 
value of books. "Permit me humbly to beg a loan of at least some 
of thy leisure hours, to retire for improvement of thy mind and con- 
verse by print, either with the distant living or the speaking dead. 
Certainly by reading thou mayest acquire a great deal of knowledge 
anent truth and duty; and, as thou professeth to be a Christian 
reader, carefully compare what thou readest with the Bible, whether 
this, or any other writing on either side of these debated points of 
the Christian religion.'' Dr. Clark, as graduate in medicine and sur- 
gery of the University of Glasgow, had books on the study of these 
departments, in addition to those on theology and religion. He was 
a scholar in general literature besides, and, having been prepared for 
the ministry by the celebrated Ebenezer Erskine, he doubtless was 
supplied with volumes on ancient and modern subjects. He was an 
author himself. In 1751 he published a pamphlet of 100 pages in 
reply to attacks made upon him, viz.: " A Brief Survey of Some Prin- 
ciples of the Synod of Ulster". This was followed by a number of 
others, notably one in 1755, entitled "A Reply to the Survey Exam- 
ined". 

In searching for the oldest books of this historic town, we find a 
large number of family Bibles; these shared with their owners the 
perils of the sea, and with faded dress and wrinkled face are still 
telling of time and eternity. Psalm books, too, the Bible's close 
companions — whose quaint lines now bring smiles to the lips of 
those whose ancestors sang them with the spirit and understanding 
which needed not the revision to carry their thoughts to heaven — 
these same Psalm books form one of the distinctive features of Sa- 
lem's peculiar history. In this age of change and progress it is 
remarkable that the descendants to the sixth generation are found 
in the same place singing: 

" From His sanctuary high, 
God hath looked with pitying eye, 
Earth He viewed from heaven His throne. 
Listening to the prisoner's groan. 



i2 4 THE SALEM BOOK 

From the bonds in which they lie, 
Freeing those condemned to die, 
This in Zion they'll proclaim, 
And in Salem praise His name." 

There is something soul-stirring to those who come back to these 
scenes of their childhood, after long years of absence, and hear these 
words of old — 

' ' Because the Lord our God is good 
His mercy faileth never, 
And to all generations 
His truth endureth ever." 

Since "books are among the most important tools with which men's 
lives are carved," and many shining characters have here been 
wrought, it would be interesting to find the companions, teachers, 
leaders, inspirers and regulators of these by-gone thinkers; but, alas! 
only a few have escaped the crushing wheels of time; most of them 
have vanished and can never be found. 

Not time alone has passed over these quiet roads; from the day 
that those first few books were brought in the saddlebag and chest, 
to the period when the latest invoice was received at the public li- 
brary, there has been a constant shifting of books and libraries. 
Could we recall those which have appeared and disappeared with the 
clergy, teachers, doctors and lawyers, we would realize why Salem 
has always stood high on the record. 

Though far from the world of greater advantages, some of Salem's 
sons have left lines of marked literary merit. After the lapse of 
more than a hundred years, what have we of the past more telling 
than the words in which its history is recorded? Our pleasant task 
is to gather and put in permanent form the precious relics of long 
ago. Perhaps the largest collection of historical works is found in 
the "Williams Papers;'' these dry leaves of the past, record events 
from 1768 to 1824, and are regarded as Salem's original manuscript; 
they comprise six large quarto volumes, aggregating twelve hundred 
pages, and have furnished many writers with important facts and 
incidents. The first paper in volume 1st refers to some trouble in 
Pelham, Mass.; and, as the second tells of a conveyance of land in 
what the New Englanders were pleased to call "White Creek", it 
would seem that they, too, sought "a better country" in coming 
here. History unrolls itself rapidly as we turn these pages and the 



LITERATURE 125 

names of the first settlers, James Turner, Joshua Conkey and Hamil- 
ton McCollister soon give way to long lists of those on subscription 
papers for church and school, county-committee reports and army 
pay-rolls. These are followed by letters and orders from Generals 
Schuyler and St. Clair, Gates and Heath, Colonels Seth Warner and 
Robinson, George Clinton, Aaron Burr and Ethan Allen. 

In a smaller volume are thirty-five letters on education written 
by General Williams to his son at school and college. The first is 
dated January 4th, 1796; and, as the boy was then but twelve years 
old, the style of addressing him seems very remarkable: 

"Dear Son: — You are pursuing your education, which I hope will 
be best adapted to the present state of things and to the situation 
you are destined to occupy. For the education of the youth can 
only be preparatory to the pursuits of the man, and he, who is best 
enabled from a comprehensive view of the objects before him to 
possess himself of those which are most worthy of his choice, is best 
educated." 

Two years later, the son objected to the study of Latin, and his 
father writes as follows: 

"You are now sufficiently able to discern and know that learning 
makes the man — are you so divested of ambition and spirits thus to 
be degraded? I do hope not — if so — my son, I shall lament the case 
as well as you. I have not taken my usual rest since I received 
your letter, and I am grieved to the heart to think that I have but 
one son and he not to be a scholar. O my son, my son, not to learn 
Latin! I could not have thought it, nothing to trouble yourself 
about — everything at your hand, and yet to deprive yourself of 
that inestimable privilege, learning! Only reflect and be persuaded 
by a fond father to rouse your spirits and be ambitious. My dear 
son, ask all my estate, and it shall be given you, but not the least 
deviation from any part of literature." 

However these words may have affected the son, they touched a 
responsive chord in the heart of one, who in the fifth generation 
truly honored his name and whose brilliant career proved the saying 
that "learning makes the man". 

Having given so much space to these manuscript books, there is 
little remaining for others in the Williams homestead. When the 
general's three daughters married, many volumes of the home li- 



i 2 6 THE SALEM BOOK 

bran' were divided among them, and many years afterward the grati- 
fied wish of the only daughter of Colonel John Williams, Mrs. Beth- 
une, reduced it even more. Still, enough remain to prove that 
books were freely used in the hundred and twenty-two years of this 
family's life in Salem. Of the latest days, there is one collection 
whose closed pages speak of a mind which has soared far higher 
than even their literature, but whose impress is left on many a 
heart. Among these books there is one, around which cluster the 
strongest emotions of love, pride and sorrow; it is entitled: 

'* Igneous Rocks of Arkansas " 

by 

J. Francis Williams. Ph. D. 

Probably no Salemite has ever exerted more personal influence for 
the promotion of literature than Dr. Alex. Proudfit. Coming here 
in 1783, we find him from that time either seeking or imparting 
knowledge, until, during the last years of his life, this zeal carried him 
to a larger field. Throughout the forty years of a useful ministry, 
his pen and purse were ever ready to increase the number of Salem's 
books; he published many pamphlets and sermons to supply the 
need of the numerous frontier settlements, which were rarely visited 
by Christian ministers. His biographer remarks that "his volumes 
bear the stamp of a refined and cultivated mind, an acquaintance 
with classical literature, and especially with the writings of those 
great lights of the 16th and 17th centuries, whose works will do more 
to furnish the mind of the Christian pastor than the writings of all the 
Greek and Latin fathers put together". One volume of Dr. Proud- 
fit's sermons was so well received that in less than ten years it went 
through three editions. He gave to each district school in the town 
"The Evangelical Library", consisting of fifteen volumes, and a copy 
of the work entitled, "The Power of Religion". He also founded the 
first tract society in this country. This earnest worker for the good 
of others has long since gone to his reward, but his "footprints on 
the sands of time" are still pointing the way to the better land. 

Dr. Asa Fitch is a name highly honored in Europe and America, 
yet associated very closely with Salem. Here, with inquiring mind 
and patient toil, he learned the facts, the revealing of which has made 
him famous. This distinguished entomologist was interested as well 
in his native town, and it is owing to his unwearied efforts that so 



LITERATURE 127 

much of its early history has been preserved. The works through 
which the world has known this eager student of nature's ways, are 
the following: 

"The Hessian Fly." 1847. 

"Insects and Curculio." 

"Noxious and Other Insects Detrimental to Agriculture." 

"Injurious Insects of the United States." 

"Winter Insects of Eastern New York." 

"Noxious, Beneficial and Other Insects." 

Eleven Annual Reports, from 1855 to 1861. 

For the first and second of these he was elected a member of the 
Imperial Agricultural Society of France, and awarded a gold medal. 
He was called to deliver six lectures at Yale College, and his port- 
folios of foreign correspondence show in what repute his name was 
held. Thus we find that from the deeply-shaded office near his 
rural home there went forth a power which has been widely felt, the 
power of thought and investigation. Unlike some learned men, 
his soul was left undimmed by public applause, and in his quiet, hum- 
ble way he faithfully served his father's God unto his life's end. 

Reviewing the long succession of years in search of Salem's writers 
we note the names of Honeywood, Stevenson, Steele and Matthews. 
These, with others, were the authors of books, but space would fail 
to include all those whose minds and pens have helped the world. 
Some there were "whose noble years were so full of living that they 
had no time or thought for writing," but they were " known and 
read - ' as only lives can be, and we do well to remember that "such 
as these have lived and died". 

The first town book was bought by James Tomb in 1788, for which 
he paid one pound and twelve shillings. Think of the ledgers and 
day-books which have been purchased since — one hundred and seven 
years of calculation! x What is the amount? 

Preparation for this " Salem Book " has called forth numerous 
ghosts of the past; valued books, which have not seen the light for 
many a year; the oldest and most prized collection is carefully pre- 
served in the library of Hon. James Gibson, our present historian, 
whose store of knowledge is ever at our service. Stray relics found 
here and there have excited surprise that paper and ink should so 
long outlive the printers. One is a History of the House of Beth- 



i28 THE SALEM BOOK 

une," dated 1639. Another book, with missing title page, but 
earnest purpose, shows the date of 1704. A large Dutch Bible, with 
heavy brass clasps, tells of 1761, and the "Memoirs of Rev. William 
Tennet" were published here in 1814. That same year we find the 
"Salem book store" advertised as having "the largest stock of books 
and stationery, drugs and medicines, ever offered for sale in this 
country. History, Biography, Travels and Voyages, Poetry, The- 
ology, Law, Arts and Sciences, Classical and School-books, in En- 
glish, French, Latin and Greek." 

A library society was here incorporated April 19th, 181 1, with the 
following trustees: Abner Austin, John P. Reynolds and David D. 
Gray. The first circulating library seems to have been opened in 
1 81 8. Two academy libraries were consumed by fire, but the third is 
still in existence; an alcove in the Bancroft Public Library has been 
furnished from this, and two hundred and fifty reference works still 
remain. 

Generations of books have filled the Sunday-school libraries of all 
the churches, and, when their mission was accomplished, the remains 
have been sent to less favored schools, and their places filled with 
others. 

The fires in our village have destroyed several precious collections 
of books, and, on one occasion, the intellectual work of fifteen years 
was consumed in an hour. There are two private libraries of which 
Salem is justly proud, and the public library claims the warmest re- 
gard of all. Here we may live in the past with the oldest of writers 
and friends, or call with our card for the latest new book from the 
press. This should be the center for the extension of our learning, 
as it is the latest development from the seed sown in 1786, when "a 
committee of thirteen was appointed to promote literature through- 
out the state," and one of our townsmen was of that number. 

In our beautiful valley, where nature itself is an inspiration, the 
eagerly sought literature has been cherished through all the years. 
From our noted school many have passed out upon the higher walks 
of life, while from the church, where jewels of truth have sparkled for 
ages, others have gone to heaven. And now, with surroundings 
even more helpful shall not we pass 

" Forward to the starry track 
Glimmering up the heights beyond us, 
On, and always on." 



THE POETRY OF SALEM 129 



THE POETRY OF SALEM 

The poetry of Salem, though limited as to volumes, holds an im- 
portant place in the town's history. Therefore, to write a history of 
the town without mentioning its poetry, would be like making a 
rose and leaving out its fragrance. As Coleridge has said, " Poetry 
is the blossom and fragrance of all human thought." 

The early settlers had little time to court this Muse ; the daily strug- 
gle for bread prevented literary activity. But we are not to suppose 
from this that the aesthetic taste of our Salem forefathers was en- 
tirely dormant. We cannot think that the woodman starting out 
with his well-sharpened axe glistening in the morning sunshine had 
not in his nature, though unconscious of it, the rude elements of 
poetry. He could not behold the grandeur of the forest, the scene 
of his day's labor, without in some measure feeling the poetry in 
nature. 

One of the first poets of the town was St. John Honeywood, born 
in Leicester, in the commonwealth of Massachusetts. At the age of 
twelve he went to a Latin school in Lebanon, Conn., where he pre- 
pared for Yale College. At Yale he became the - distinguished fa- 
vorite of the president. Dr. Stiles; completing his college course, and 
graduating with great honor, he left New England and went to re- 
side in Schenectady, where for two years he was preceptor of an 
academy. He then removed to Albany, where he studied law under 
Peter W. Yates; was admitted to the bar. He then went to Salem, 
where he practiced his profession for ten years with unblemished rep- 
utation. He was made a master in chancery, which office he re- 
signed on being appointed by the governor and council, clerk of the 
county. He was chosen one of the electors of the president of the 
United States, when Mr. Adams became the successor of Washing- 
ton, and at that time he composed verses on the retirement of Wash- 
ington. In 1801 the first and only volume of Mr. Honeywood's 
poems were published. A number of them were of local interest, 
some historical, others, poems of fancy. He had a keen sense of 



i3° THE SALEM BOOK 

humor. We find a good specimen of it in a short poem which bears 
the title, " Impromptu," written at a small country inn, which had 
once been the residence of a lady of his acquaintance. 

"In this low mansion where the unpainted sign 

Invites the weary traveler to rest; 
Where village hinds in noisy chorus join, 

Drone the long tale, and break the threadbare jest; 

Some years ago a pair, whom heaven designed 

For brighter prospects and a milder fate, 
Dead to the world, in mute despondence pined 

In the rough arms of an unfeeling mate. 

She was the floweret drooping o'er the rill, 
Whose trembling lips imbibe the morning dew; 

He was the hemlock bristling on the hill 

Rough at the first, and roughening as he grew. 

As well she knew 'twas fruitless to bewail 

Her vanished joys and destiny severe; 
She told to none her sympathetic tale, 

And checked with proud reserve the rising tear. 

If led by instinct to her husband's ear, 

In some soft horn she ventured to complain, 

He whistled, yawn'd, and raised the unmeaning stare 
Then turned and dozed the livelong night again. 

Yet this dull mansion's cloistered gloom to cheer, 
Her happier friends oft held the social round, 

The sprightly Beatrice shed a radiance here, 

And Fredwell chang'd the spot to classic ground. 

Here oft the village Bard, and one full droll, 
We had, a mixture strange of law and rhyme, 

With his fair shepherdess was wont to stroll, 
And kill in harmless chat the tedious time." 



THE POETRY OF SALEM 131 

I quote a few lines from another poem, addressed to a friend, and 
written from Schenectady, showing the author's best powers in de- 
scribing pastoral scenes: 

"Come see what beauties o'er our fields are spread, 
What sturdy herds our verdant pastures tread; 
O'er our wide plains what stately cedars rise 
Whose cloud-topp'd heads support the bending skies ; 
Here every grove with vocal music rings, 
Here every breeze wafts health upon its wings." 

Though written from Schenectady, to one who has beheld the 
beautiful scenery of our own town, it seems clear that the poet must 
have drawn his inspiration from the " wide plains " of Salem, and her 
groves ringing with vocal music. 

The Rev. John B. Steele, known as the sacred poet of the "Re- 
formed Church," was born in Salem in 1796, his ancestors for two 
generations having had their homes in the town. He made his prepa- 
rations for college in the Salem Academy, under the instruction of 
"Master Stevenson". In 1810 he graduated from Middlebury Col- 
lege, then pursued his theological studies in New York, under the 
celebrated Dr. John, Mason. Mr. Steele was not only a sound theo- 
logian and gifted preacher, but was rarely gifted as a poet. This 
talent he exhibited at a very early age. On the day of his gradua- 
tion at Middlebury he delivered a poem which was received with 
marked favor. Several of his poetical productions he contributed to 
the secular and religious press. He published at different times in 
" The New York Observer " and " Christian Intelligencer " metrical 
versions of many of the Psalms, all of which are marked by 
the happy talent of versification, while they retain the spirit of 
the original. He paraphrased large portions of the sacred Scrip- 
tures; the entire books of Ruth, Esther, Jonah. He also ren- 
dered into verse the history of Jacob, of Elijah, of Hannah, of Isaac 
and Rebecca, of David and Goliath. He was frequently called upon 
to read in public his poems, and he delivered to large audiences, in 
city and country, his "Ruth" and "Esther" more than a hundred 
times. 

These paraphrases were very happily expressed, and delivered in 
a very pleasing manner, and were both instructing and entertaining. 



i 3 2 THE SALEM BOOK 

On anniversary occasions of churches and schools he often contrib- 
uted, on solicitation, hymns to be used as a part of the exercise. In 
this department he seemed to excel. On the occasion of the one 
hundredth anniversary of the White Church, in Salem, Air. Steele 
read a poem, historical and descriptive, of the former pastors and the 
olden times. He was solicited to collect and publish a selection from 
his poems; and, according to the desire of his friends, a volume was 
issued from the press under the title of "Sacred and Poetical Para- 
phrases", of about four hundred pages, containing in addition to the 
poems already named, thirty of the Psalms; fifty of a miscellaneous 
character, with several, which he has entitled songs, of a lighter char- 
acter. 

He wrote for his own recreation many poems which have never 
been printed. These remain in manuscript, a large number of which 
are regarded as equal in merit to any found in the volume given to 
the press. 



MUSIC 133 



MUSIC 

" Wild warbling nature all, above the reach of art ! " 

This was Salem's earliest music, and as we listen to catch the 
strains of that past harmony, they sweep down the ages, through the 
alternating seasons of joy and sadness, like the chords of an aeolian 
harp. 

" Music, where soft voices die, 
Vibrates in the memory." 

" There's music in the sighing of a reed, 
There's music in the gushing of a rill, 
There's music in all things, if men had ears, 
Their earth is but an echo of the spheres." 

" Thou, God, art the Father of all music, 

Sweet sounds are a message from Thee, 
Thou hast made Thy creation all anthems 

And it singeth them silently." 

Silent, too, has been much of our human melody; no past achieve- 
ment has left high record here; yet the waves of time have washed 
some relics upon the shore, and these would tell of bygone sym- 
phonies. 

Here is a spinet! long has it outlived the fair owner, 
whose companion it was when her days were a dream 
of love; life's sweetest music it might disclose were our 
ears attuned to its old-time notes. Now it stands, like 
the Clementi piano — a time-mark in musical history. Cle- 
menti first gave the piano forte its own character, and raised it 
from a mere variety of the harpischord; his manufactory was estab- 
lished in London, 1799; only a few years later, a piano of his ap- 
peared in Salem. This indicates musical enterprise, if nothing more. 
Other silent instruments are hiding here and there, as though un- 
willing to reveal the past; from these we turn to look for the ancient 
bass-viol, or violoncello, which for many years added its notes to 



i34 THE SALEM BOOK 

the voice of praise in one of our churches. In those days, to a 
childish mind, there was a grave mystery hanging over that music, 
something "bass", but very sweet; something to be heard, but never 
seen, else why was that red curtain so hurriedly drawn ere any tones 
were sounded? It was with some disappointment that, in later years, 
this solemn thing was found to have been "only a fiddle". Is the 
story true, that a small violin introduced into another of the choirs, 
caused such excitement, that one from the congregation greeted 
the pastor on Monday morning with angry words, assuring him that 
"The like would not be seen in heaven.*' "My dear man," was the 
Scotch dominie's reply, "if ye continue in such a frame of mind, ye'll 
ne'er be there to know." 

The "old-fashioned singing schule!" who has not seen the knitting 
dropped and the glasses rubbed at the very mention of those times? 
In what was the charm? The music? Those quaint old singing 
books seem dull enough now, but then, between the lines, there was 
romance and love galore. 

This little corner of the earth has not been too remote to echo 
the harmonies of the world's great masters; its marriage peals and 
funeral dirges have long been set to their high-toned music, and in 
the library there are well-worn pages from the composition of Han- 
del, Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Mendelssohn and Gounod, which are 
now the memorial of one who loved them. 

There is an unuttered melody which thrills the hearts of those 
whose early days were spent in this beautiful valley; each summer 
brings back some world-wanderer whose spirit responds to the 
"Home, Sweet Home", and a deeper sweetness steals through the 
soul, if touched with the blessing of " peace " from above. 

" Thither we hasten through these regions dim, 
But, lo! the wide wings of the seraphim 
Shine in the sunset! On that joyous shore 
Our lightened heart shall know 
The life of long ago : 
The sorrow-burdened past shall fade for evermore." 



INDUSTRIES 135 



INDUSTRIES 



The industries of the town of Salem since the date of its settlement, 
although not in any case of great magnitude, have been many and 
varied, and prove beyond reasonable doubt that the inhabitants have 
ever been even above the average, energetic and enterprising. It 
would take too long a chapter to speak of all the industries which 
have been inaugurated here, and but a few of the more important 
and interesting will be mentioned. 

It will possibly be matter of news to many of the present genera- 
tion, in this day of pronounced temperance proclivities, to be in- 
formed that many years ago, and not far from the beginning of this 
century, there were two distilleries in active and prosperous opera- 
tion in this town, one near the late residence of Captain Joseph H. 
Hays, deceased, and the other in what was in those days known as 
"Clapp's Mill" and now as Rexleigh. It is said that a tin dipper 
hung near the tub which received the liquor, and any one who so 
desired could drink his fill without as much as saying, " thank you," 
to the proprietor. It is good proof of the advance and improve- 
ment in temperance sentiment to learn that the manufacturing of 
ardent spirits was discontinued in this town many years ago, and 
would probably not be tolerated at the present day. 

The old gristmill, which still stands on South Main street in this 
village, is a monument to the enterprise and philanthropy of one of 
the early settlers of this town. It appears humble and unimportant 
enough at the present time, but, in reference to the date of its erection, 
the difficulties attending its construction and the benefits derived 
from it by the inhabitants of this region, was undoubtedly 
the most important industry ever established in this town. 
It was built by General John Williams several years 
before the end of the last century, to supply an urgent 
and ever-growing necessity, as it was the only mill for 
many miles around. The building of the dam on " White 
Creek", a quarter of a mile above the mill, which distance was nee- 



136 THE SALEM BOOK 

essary in order to obtain the requisite "head" or fall of water, and 
the construction of the ditch or canal to carry the water to the wheel, 
was so difficult and the work of such magnitude that only a man of 
undaunted resolution and of almost unlimited command of funds 
could have been successful in the undertaking. The old General did 
succeed, however, as he did in everything he undertook. To illus- 
trate the difficulties he was obliged to encounter in the construction 
of the canal, one only may be mentioned: It was found after the 
work was commenced that for a considerable distance the canal must 
be dug through a bed of sand, which would not hold water; to over- 
come this obstacle, which was generally considered insurmountable, 
so much so that the name of "Williams' folly" was given to the work. 
General Williams conceived the plan of "puddling" or covering the 
bottom and sides of the ditch with clay, which made them perfectly 
impervious to water. " Williams' folly " has done good service for 
over one hundred years, and is still serviceable ; and the plan adopted 
by General Williams to make his canal water-tight was afterward 
used in the construction of the great Erie canal. The old gristmill 
still stands as it has stood for over a century, and is still a benefit to 
the community around it. The old overshot wheel, twenty-four 
feet in diameter, which it was the delight of the writer to watch in his 
boyhood days, as it made its slow and dignified revolutions, has been 
taken out, however, and the more modern and serviceable " turbine '' 
substituted. The granite or marble shaft, reaching many feet to- 
ward the heavens, is often erected in memory of the man who has 
benefited his fellows or has done some deed for which his memory is 
held in esteem, but no man could desire a better monument than is 
the old gristmill to the pluck, enterprise and philanthropy of General 
John Williams. 

During the early part of this century, a large and very prosperous 
business was carried on in the old brick shop, which is still stand- 
ing in the rear of the fire engine house in this village, in the manu- 
facture of hand fire engines. Many engines of the most approved 
style of those days were built and shipped to different parts of this 
country, and even across the ocean; and many hardy firemen in 
America, as well as in European cities and villages, have success- 
fully combatted the destructive element with apparatus manufactured, 
as a brass plate on the front of each engine stated, in Salem, N. Y. 
General Williams was one of the proprietors of this enterprise. 



INDUSTRIES 137 

An iron foundry was operated in the boyhood days of the writer 
by a Mr. Russell, on Nicholas street, near the residence of Mr. 
Hugh Smart, and he now remembers, as one of the most fascinating 
sights of his childhood days, how he used to watch the molten iron 
pouring like a river of fire into the forms prepared to receive it. 
Another foundry was also operated, many years prior to the one 
first mentioned, on Main street, near the residence of Justice James 
H. Houghton. Barnard and Proudfit were the proprietors. 

A knitting factory was in successful operation for several years, 
along in the fifties, in the building on West Broadway, now owned 
and in part occupied by Mr. Frank Shields. Marvin Freeman, Ira 
Broughton and David Bowen were some of the owners. Steam was 
used as a motive power, and Albert K. Broughton, the veteran 
locomotive engineer, performed his initial service in that line by 
running the engine which furnished the power. 

Another factory, operated by water, was situated, in the young 
days of the century, on the " White Creek," near the late residence 
of Samuel S. Billings, deceased. Zacheus Atwood was the owner. 
A long and expensive litigation was provoked by the overflowing 
of land, caused by the raising of the dam at this factory, and it was 
during the trial of this action that the principle of the " piling " or 
backing up of water on itself was first sworn to and proved in a 
court of law. This litigation and the gradual lowering of the water 
in " White Creek," by reason of the demolition of the forests, made 
the running of the factory difficult, uncertain and unremunerative, 
and it was abandoned to fall into ruin, and, finally, long before the 
present generation materialized, to disappear from the face of the 
earth. 

It is known to but few of the present day, that long ago, while 
the century was still young, the manufacture of brass eight-day 
clocks was extensively carried on in this village. There is no record 
extant, so far as the writer knows, of who the proprietor was or 
where the works were located, but undoubtedly some of the clocks 
are still in existence and are unweariedly marking the course of time 
long years after their makers, and even the records of who they 
were, have been buried from the sight of man by the dust of ages. 

One of the most important, and to the people of this village, the 
most beneficial, industries of later years, was the shops erected by 
the Rutland and Washington railroad about the year 1852, when 
the road was built through this town; and afterward continued in 



138 THE SALEM BOOK 

operation for several years by the Delaware and Hudson Canal Co. 
after that corporation had purchased the road. They consisted of 
machine, blacksmith, carpenter and paint shops, and in all 
departments over one hundred men were given employment. In a 
few years after the last named company came into possession, a 
large car-building plant was added to the other departments. The 
building in which the latter industry was carried on was, unfortu- 
nately, destroyed by fire during the year 1878, and the work of car 
building was discontinued by the company on the ground that it 
was cheaper to buy their cars than to build them. The convenience 
and necessities of the company required the work in the other 
departments to be done at other places and the workmen were 
gradually withdrawn from the shops at this village, until the busy 
sounds of honest toil have almost entirely ceased to be heard. The 
great round house and machine shops remain, however, and it is 
hoped may again, in the near future, become vocal with the 
throbbing of their mighty machinery and the blows of the implements 
wielded by scores of brawny workmen. 

The making of roofing slate is an industry which has made the 
name of Salem as familiar as a household word in many of the 
cities and villages of this and foreign lands. The old " Excelsior " 
quarries, situated about three miles east of this village, were exten- 
sively operated for many years by a company of New York and 
Brooklyn capitalists, under the superintendency of Mr. John 
Edwards, who still resides here. A vast amount of roofing slate 
has been shipped to all points of the compass from these quarries, 
and no better slate was ever manufactured. The quarries were 
abandoned a few years ago on account of financial stringency, and 
because the expense of working, on account of their great depth, 
and of marketing the slate, on account of their distance from 
the railroad, was very great. A number of smaller quarries have 
also been operated in this section. It is possible that in the near 
future the slate industry may again be successfully prosecuted in 
Salem; the hills of the town are filled with the finest quality of this 
valuable stone, and there it lies, only waiting for the man to arrive 
with enterprise enough to take it out and convey it to the markets 
of the world. A sure fortune awaits such a man. 

In the year 1875, a number of enterprising farmers organized a 
stock company for the purpose of manufacturing cheese, and a 
large factory was erected during the same year, near the bridge 



INDUSTRIES 139 

over " White creek," a few rods south of East Broadway. The 
factory has proven generally to be successful and remunerative, 
and has been operated every season since it was built. This indus- 
try, though humble, is a source of profit to our farmers and is 
especially a blessing to their hard-working wives, as it saves them 
the arduous labor of caring for the milk and making into butter. 
On this account, if for no other reason, it is hoped the industry 
may be permanent, and the present indications are that it will be. 
Captain James M. Thompson is president, Horace Townsend is 
secretary and salesman, and Mr. Morhouse is cheesemaker at the 
present time. 

During the year 1886 the enterprise of a few citizens resulted 
in the establishment of a factory for making shirts in this village. 
It was first conducted by Mr. B. H. Griffin and later by Mr. Henry 
Spallholz, on the corner of Williams and Railroad streets, but in 
the fall of 1892 was moved to the steam mill on Park place, and 
during the succeeding year the plant was purchased by a stock 
company. It was known as "The Salem Shirt and Sewing Com- 
pany," and was run by them until the month of July, 1895, when 
the stock of the company was purchased by the firm of Levi 
Wechsler & Company, of Paterson, N. J., who are still the owners. 
The industry is remunerative and growing under the superintend- 
ency of Mr. Henry Spallholtz and is carried on in a large building 
especially constructed for it on Park place. It has become one 
of the permanent institutions of our village. 

The stock company organized a year or more ago, under the 
name of "The Salem Manufacturing and Power Company," 
engaged extensively in the manufacturing of novelties of wood; 
many beautiful and useful articles are made at their factory, which 
is in the steam mill, on Park place. Quite a large number of hands 
are employed and the business is increasing daily. John J. 
Beattie, Mark L. Sheldon and Jesse S. Sherman are members of 
this company and Cole Stickles is superintendent. 

Another industry of the same nature as the one last mentioned 
was started in January last by ex-Sheriff George N. Finch and the 
Le May brothers, in the Gibson building, on Williams street. The 
enterprise bid fair to be in the highest degree successful, but, 
unfortunately, in August last, the building occupied by them burned 
to the ground and work was necessarily discontinued until another 
building could be erected. The contract for the new building has 



i 4 o THE SALEM BOOK 

been let and as soon as it is completed the business will be resumed 
by the Messrs. Le May. 

Mention should also be made of the extensive knitting factory 
now in process of construction at Rexleigh. by Mr. George E. 
Brockway, of Cohoes. N. Y. The factory will be built entirely of 
marble and will furnish employment to many artisans, male and 
female. The benefit to the town and village of Salem derived from 
this last-mentioned industry will be incalculable. A brighter day 
is dawning upon Salem. We shall soon have electric lights, and 
as the darkness and gloom of physical night is driven away, so 
the electric light of material prosperity will shine abroad until 
even - home within the borders of the town shall be cheered and 
illumined, and all darkness and gloom shall be driven away from 
among its happy and prosperous people. 



BANKING 141 



BANKING 

* 

Salem has never been so unfortunate as to be subjected to that 
rash inflation of fictitious values and reckless trifling with commer- 
cial integrity which has proved the shipwreck of the prosperity of 
so many towns. Whilst those who have directed jits financial 
interests have ever been enterprising and progressive, yet their zeal 
has been tempered with a wise conservatism which has restrained 
them from jeopardizing the trusts committed to their care. In the 
strife which waged around the relationships of the Bank of the 
United States and the incorporated banks of the different states in 
the early thirties, the policy of property holders in this place was 
one of moderation. 

There appears in an issue of the Washington County Post for 
1834 a call for a meeting of citizens interested in the organization 
of a bank under the existing state law, but the response to this 
call was not such as to give encouragement to the project. It was 
not until the great controversy terminated in the overthrow of the 
Federal Bank that steps were successfully taken towards the estab- 
lishing of a bank in Salem. The necessities of exchange in this 
part of the country making it manifest that a bank was required 
to meet the demands of trade, and the promotion of commercial 
supremacy then held by Salem, pointing to it as the proper place 
for the establishment of such bank in 1853, efforts towards such an 
organization were revived. For a while, however, the movement 
languished, and it is probable might have failed altogether had 
there not at this time appeared in Salem the man for the occasion, 
the Hon. Benjamin F. Bancroft. 

Mr. Bancroft's ability as an organizer, and the zeal, energy and 
business sagacity with which he prosecuted the work, triumphed 
over all obstacles, and led to the incorporation of the Bank of 
Salem, under the state law, in January, 1853, w ^ n a capital of 
$110,000. The first meeting of the stockholders of the corporation 
was held on January nth, 1853. At that time Bernard Blair was 
elected president and B. F. Bancroft, cashier. The management of 



142 THE SALEM BOOK 

the bank's affairs was largely in Mr. Bancroft's hands from the 
first. By him its policy was outlined and the method of its opera- 
tion devised. Although the business done by the bank was safe 
and conservative from the first, yet the financial skill of its man- 
agement was such that from the beginning its profits were large 
and its dividends regular and satisfactory. In 1858 Mr. Blair was 
succeeded in the presidency by John Williams. 

Whilst this bank recognized and well discharged the duty which it 
owed its stockholders, it was not regardless of the claims of patriot- 
ism. When it became evident, in 1861, that treason threatened the 
very existence of the republic, and when it became manifest that the 
ability of the country to maintain its integrity was dependent upon 
the confidence with which its people would intrust to the govern- 
ment the means necessary for subjugation, the Bank of Salem was 
not found wanting. Scarcely had the call for the first loan been 
issued when, upon April 23d, 1861, at a meeting of the board of 
directors, the following resolution was passed without a dissenting 
vote: 

' ' Resolved, That the Bank of Salem tender to the state of New York their 
share of the $3,500,000 loan, for arming and equipping the military forces of 
the state, which is subject to the order of the state when required." 

When town and county also sought for funds to equip and main- 
tain their proportions of volunteers, the bank also gave them timely 
and substantial aid. The management of this bank believed in our 
country and the principles for which it stood, and they were not 
afraid to put their money into it. 

When the National Banking Act of 1865 w r as passed, this bank 
promptly took advantage of its provisions, and in July, 1865, was 
organized as the First National Bank of Salem. Hon. C. L. Allen 
was chosen as president of the new National bank, while Mr. Ban- 
croft was continued as cashier. Upon the death of Judge Allen 
Mr. Bancroft was elected president and Mark L. Sheldon became 
cashier. The prosperity of the new National bank has even 
exceeded that of its predecessor, and it is doubtful whether there is 
another country bank in the bounds of the state of New York that 
could show a more enviable record. Mr. Bancroft's death was a 
blow keenly felt by all associated with the bank. He was a man 
of unquestioned probity and of marvellous financial acumen. He 
has found, however, a worthy successor in Mr. Sheldon, who, since 



BANKING Hi 

his death, has served as president. Mr. Sheldon's reputation as a 
financier is widely extended, and under his careful and sagacious 
management the bank has suffered no diminution of its past 
prosperity. 

During the years of the civil war the scarcity of small change led 
this village, as others, to issue five and ten cent scrip, signed by 
village officials and declared to be redeemable, when presented in 
amounts aggregating five dollars. We have not been able to learn 
that any of it was ever presented for redemption, and it is probable 
that it did not circulate widely. It was not any easier to make some- 
thing out of nothing thirty years ago than it is to-day. Financial 
heresies have never flourished in the town of Salem. 

The People's National Bank of Salem was organized in 1884. 
Its successive presidents have been, Lonson Fraser, Chas. Lyon, 
Wm. C. Larmon and Warren Kenyon. Robert M. Stevenson has 
been cashier from the beginning. Under his wise and judicious 
management its history has been one of honest dealing and steady 
prosperity. 



i44 THE SALEM BOOK 



THE PHYSICIANS 



Rev. Thomas Clark, M. D., took his medical degree at the Uni- 
versity of Glasgow, Scotland, about 175 1. 

He came to Salem in 1765 as pastor of what is now the United 
Presbyterian Congregation, who emigrated as a colony, and he was 
the first and only physician in town until the arrival of Dr. John 
Williams, in the fall of 1773. 

Dr. Clark evidently possessed abilities as a physician of the times, 
and he was often called upon by his parishioners and others to 
administer to the wants of the sick bodies as well as souls of men. 
Not unfrequently was he called from the pulpit to the bedside in the 
capacity of a physician. 

General John Williams, M. D., was born at Barnstable, County of 
Devonshire, England, in September, 1752, and died at Salem, July 
22(1, 1800. Of his early life little is known, though he unquestion- 
ably had good educational advantages, and improved them well, as 
evidenced by his numerous papers now extant. He studied medi- 
cine in his youth, and according to a diploma still preserved, he 
" walked St. Thomas' Hospital/' London, one year, and was first 
surgeon mate on board an English man-of-war. May 6, 1773, he 
was licensed at Edinburgh to practice medicine, and the same year 
came to America and settled in Salem. 

His professional services were immediately brought into requisi- 
tion, and his practice soon became extensive and lucrative, often 
requiring him to make long and tedious journeys through the 
almost trackless forest. Many are the traditions of his success as 
a physician, of his skill as a surgeon, and of his kindness to the poor. 

His professional as well as patriotic services were promptly and 
loyally given to the country of his adoption in the Revolutionary 
struggle. He was engaged in the battles of Bennington, Bemis 
Heights, Stillwater and Monmouth, where he proved himself not 
only an intrepid soldier, but a skillful surgeon as well. 

Walking over the field of Monmouth at night, after the battle, 
he found his friend. Colonel McCracken, among the wounded, his 



THE PHYSICIANS 145 

left arm having been shattered by a cannon ball. Taking him in 
his arms, he bore him, unassisted, to a place of safety and success- 
fully amputated the arm near the shoulder joint. 

Dr. Williams became increasingly engaged in public affairs as 
an important factor, and necessarily relinquished the active func- 
tions of the profession which he had so signally honored. 

Dr. Joseph Tomb was a native of Salem; studied medicine with 
Dr. Williams, and was associated with him for a short time in prac- 
tice. He continued his professional work in Salem until his death, 
at the age of thirty-seven years, January 1, 1796. 

Colonel James Green, M. D., was born in Cambridge, N. Y., 
and studied medicine with Dr. Williams. He practiced medicine 
in Salem from about March 12, 1798, until the first of the century. 
He was colonel of the One Hundred and Eighteenth Regiment of 
state militia in the War of 181 2. He was a man of superior educa- 
tion and held in high estimation as a physician. He removed to the 
western part of the state in 181 5. 

Peletiah Fitch, M. D., was born in Norwich, Conn., May 6, 1722. 
He received a thorough literary and professional education. After 
years of practice in Connecticut and Vermont, he came to Salem, 
about 1780. He did not enter largely upon general practice, but 
was frequently called in consultation. He was an active compa- 
triot with General Williams, Judge Webster and other distin- 
guished men of that heroic era. He died April 16, 1803. 

Hon. Asa Fitch, M. D., son of Dr. Peletiah Fitch, was born at 
Noank, Conn., November 10, 1765, and after several years' practice 
at Duanesburgh, N. Y., returned to Salem and soon engaged in a 
large practice, his ride extending over the same territory now occu- 
pied by five or six physicians. Many physicians were educated by 
Dr. Fitch, there being almost always from two to six students in 
his office. As a justice of the county court, as member of congress 
at a critical period of our national history, as a prominent Free 
Mason, as a leading elder in the First Incorporated Presbyterian 
Church, and as an active and eminently useful citizen, Dr. Fitch 
was a distinguished man ; but in nothing was he more devoted and 
deserving than in the arduous duties of his professional life. On 
the 26th of February, 1834, the Regents of the University of New 
York conferred upon him an honorary degree of M. D., he having 
practiced medicine during his professional career under a licensure 
granted by the county court in 1797. He died August 24, 1843. 



i 4 6 THE SALEM BOOK 

Abram Allen, M. D., was bom in Sturbridge, Mass., and canie 
to Salem about 1795. Being a man of good education and great 
energy of character, he soon established himself in a prosperous 
professional business. He became one of the leading surgeons in 
the county, and was often called upon in cases requiring skill and 
firmness. He continued active and influential almost to the time of 
his death, March 20, 1845. 

Ephraim Allen, M. D., was born in Sturbridge in 1766, and was 
a graduate of Yale. He joined his brother, Abram Allen, at Salem 
in 1796, and died in 181 5. 

Seth Brown, M. D., was born in Salem, 1772; was a student at 
Washington Academy, studied medicine in Salem, and was licensed 
to practice by a certificate from Judge Livingston, of Hebron, dated 
September 22, 1797. He practiced medicine in Salem until his 
death, May 26, 1840. 

James McNish, A. M., M. D., was born in Salem, August 26, 1780. 
He was a student at Washington Academy and a graduate of Union 
College, class of 1800. He studied medicine with Dr. Archibald 
H. Adams, of Schenectady, and was admitted to practice by the 
Supreme Court, March 9, 1803. He practiced medicine in Salem 
several years and removed finally to Newbury, Ohio, where he died. 

Archibald McAllister, M. D., was bom in Salem, December 15, 
1785, and died February 11, 1855. He was a student at Washing- 
ton Academy; studied medicine in Salem, and unquestionably 
attended medical lectures (college not known), and was admitted 
to practice on a certificate from the chief justice of the Supreme 
Court of New Jersey, dated March 3, 1808. He settled in Salem 
and soon became a partner with Dr. Abram Allen. Dr. McAllister 
was a good physician and citizen and an estimable Christian 
gentleman. 

Robert McMurray Stevenson, M. D., was born in Salem Decem- 
ber 28, 1 801. He was educated at Washington Academy; studied 
medicine with Drs. Allen and McAllister; graduated at Castleton 
Medical College and took a course of clinical instruction at the New 
York Hospital. He practiced in Salem. Dr. Stevenson was a man 
of unquestioned ability and high-toned characteristics in his pro- 
fessional career; a successful physician and did some good surgical 
work. He died September 28, 1838. 

Worthy Waters, M. D., was born in Cambridge, N. Y., 1798. He 
studied medicine with Jonathan Dorr, Sr., and practiced medicine 



THE PHYSICIANS 147 

in Salem from about 1822 to 1824. He died at Argyle, May 29, 
1828. 

Asa Fitch, Jr., M. D., was born in Salem (Fitch's Point), February 
4, 1809, and died in the same house where he was born, April 8, 
1879. A student at Washington Academy, he graduated at the 
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, class of 1827. He studied medi- 
cine with his father and graduated at the Castleton, Vt, Medical 
College, in 1829. He subsequently attended medical lectures at 
Rutgers College and completed his medical studies in the office of 
the eminent surgeon, Dr. Allen March, at Albany, N. Y. During 
his course of study he gave special attention to the sciences, natural 
history and entomology in particular. 

As assistant professor of natural history at the Rensselaer Insti- 
tute, he accompanied a class in an expedition to Lake Erie. At 
this time young Fitch was regarded as the best entomologist in the 
country. In 1831 he commenced the practice of medicine at Ft. 
Miller, N. Y. In 1833 he removed to Stillwater, where he con- 
tinued until 1838, when he returned to Salem, and the more con- 
genial study of his chosen specialty, entomology. In 1854 he was 
appointed New York State Entomologist, which position he 
retained seventeen years. During the latter part of this term he 
delivered a course of lectures on entomology at Yale College, which 
was published in the New York Tribune. He was also employed 
by the state on a geological survey ,the results of which greatly 
advanced the lime and slate interests in this section of the state. 
Fie published numerous works on his specialty, in addition to his 
annual reports, and these attracted wide attention at home and 
abroad. His unpublished works, left in almost perfect preparation 
for the press, consisted of 100 note books filled with valuable 
materials. He had a wide and distinguished correspondence, and 
he was made honorary member of various scientific societies in 
America and Europe. 

Dr. Fitch had and developed the power of accurate observation 
and deduction, and he applied himself with persistent assiduity. 
He was a devout Christian scholar. In the words of another, " His 
life was full of strong, pure manhood, full of gentleness, kindliness 
and peace, which come of well living, and full of the honors which 
his labors had earned." 

George Allen, M. D., an eminent representative of the family 
medical name, was born in Salem, January 12, 1806. Educated at 



i 4 8 THE SALEM BOOK 

Washington Academy, he studied medicine with Drs. Allen and 
McAllister and graduated at Castleton Medical College, December 
19, 1827. His entire professional career was spent in Salem, where 
he died, August 16, 1866. Dr. Allen possessed a brilliant mind and 
keen intuitive faculties, and he was ardently devoted to his profes- 
sion and its duties, the rich and poor sharing alike in his devotion 
to their needs, and in his neglect to present his bills. He was a 
disciple of the gifted and eminent Dr. Tully, and ardently adopted 
his medical theories, some of which, modified by science and expe- 
rience, have come to be almost universally recognized and adopted. 
He was genial and hopeful to the last in the sick room, and a phy- 
sician greatly esteemed by his patients. Had he chosen to have 
mingled in the wider relations of his profession, he doubtless might 
have gained an enviable reputation. 

Robert McMurray, M. D., was born in Salem, January, 1817. 
He was educated at Washington Academy; entered the office of 
Allen & Stevenson in 1835; attended lectures at Castleton in 1836; 
was licensed to practice by the Washington County Medical Society, 
June, 1838, and graduated at the College of Physicians and Sur- 
geons, January, 1840. 

He practiced in Salem until 1844, when he removed to New York 
City and entered into partnership with Dr. Alfred Freeman, and 
identified himself with the Homeopathic School of Medicine. He 
received an honorary degree of M. D. from the Homeopathic Col- 
lege of New York City; was a number of years clinical professor 
of medicine in the New York Hospital and College for Women, 
and was for many years on the board of censors for that institution 
and the Homeopathic Medical College. 

After more than fifty years of active and eminently successful 
professional life in New York City, and owing to failing health, Dr. 
McMurray retired to Salem, his native place, in 1894, where he now 
resides, highly esteemed in the community for his professional 
record, his culture and refined Christian virtues. 

Orville Pool Gilman, M. D., was born in Jaffrey, N. H., Septem- 
ber 15, 1805; died at Salem, May 16, 1863. He graduated at Dart- 
mouth Medical College in 1836. He came to Salem about 1840. Dr. 
Gilman was a man of fine physique, with a large overhanging brow, 
and he possessed a mind by nature strong and masterful. As a 
physician he became widely and favorably known, and his practice 
was often extended to long professional tours, requiring several 



THE PHYSICIANS 149 

days at a time. He held advanced views of practice and frequently 
defended them by forcible and original arguments. He died sud- 
denly from heart disease. 

Oliver Perry Yates, M. D., was born in Schaghticoke, N. Y., 
March 18, 1822. He received a common school education; studied 
medicine with Dr. Sheffer of Cohoes; attended medical lectures at 
the Berkshire Medical College, Pittsfield, Mass., in 1852, and gradu- 
ated at the University Medical College of New York City in 1853. 
He came to Salem the same year and remained until the fall of 
1855, when he removed to Geneseo, 111., where he died, after a brief 
sickness, January 3, 1855. Dr. Yates was esteemed as a genial, 
capable, Christian physician. 

John Lambert, A. M., M. D., was born at Alfred, York county, 
Maine, September 7, 1828. He fitted for college at Alfred and 
North Yarmouh Academies; studied medicine with the then eminent 
surgeon, Dr. Edwin Hall, at Saco, Maine, and graduated at Bow- 
doin Medical College, class of 1852. He entered upon practice at 
Saco the same year as partner with Dr. Hall. Unable to endure 
the coast climate of New England he removed to St. Paul, Minn., 
in 1854. In the spring of 1856 he came to Salem, where he found 
a field strongly occupied by Drs. Geo. Allen and O. P. Gilman. 
As the pioneer gynecologist in the county, his services were required 
at an early date, and for twenty-five years he was constantly called 
far and near in the practice of this specialty, many patients coming 
to Salem to place themselves under his immediate care. Midwifery 
and consultations also claimed much of his time during his active 
career. He has often been called to court, as an expert medical 
witness, in cases of importance. The O'Shea murder trial was con- 
ducted at court successfully against a powerful opposition of experts, 
on his theory, advanced before the coroner, regarding certain blood 
spots which he noticed in the room where Mrs. O'Shea's body was 
found. He has published various medical papers, and continues to 
contribute religious and literary articles to the journalism of the day. 
In 1889, Bowdoin College conferred upon him an honorary degree 
of A. M. He is an active and honorary member of county, state 
and national medical gynecological and medico-legal societies; is 
the historian of the Washington County Medical Society. 

As health officer of the town and village of Salem for a series of 
years, he was instrumental in establishing important sanitary 
reforms. Thirty years an elder in the incorporated Presbyterian 



i 5 o THE SALEM BOOK 

church, he has three times represented the Presbytery of Troy at 
general assembly. 

Wm. B. Maynard, M. D., was born at Jamaica, Vt, November 
21, 1824. He graduated at Castleton Medical College in 1846. 
He first located in Hebron (Tipladies), then at West Rupert, Vt., 
where he had an extensive and lucrative practice. He came to 
Salem in the spring of 1872, where he was already favorably known, 
and he soon became one of the busiest practitioners in the county. 
Possessed of robust health, he was enabled to endure with zest the 
fatigues of his incessant work, until a year previous to his death, 
from angina pectoris, February 21, 1893. He only relinquished his 
activities some two months prior to his decease. 

Charles Harvey Allen, M. D., son of Dr. George Allen, was born 
at Salem, March 17, 1832; educated at Washington Academy; 
studied medicine with his father; graduated at the Albany Medical 
College in 1861, and the same year went to Paris to prosecute his 
studies, where he remained two years under the instruction of the 
more eminent teachers, and enjoying the advantages of the 
immense hospitals of that metropolis, and where he graduated in 
medicine and surgery, June, 1863. He spent several months in the 
hospitals of London and Edinburgh and returned to Salem the 
same year, where he continued in practice until his death, March 1, 
1875. He discovered those qualities of mind, natural and acquired, 
and that executive capacity which well fitted him for the discharge 
of the varied duties of his professon. As a surgeon he was intrepid 
and successful, his operations being diverse and embracing many of 
the major operations. 

The last of a family for many years distinguished for their ability 
and skill in the profession, he successfully maintained and added 
lustre to the ancestral reputation. 

Unmarried and free from family cares, yet life was too short for 
the work in hand, and he paused to die midway in his ambitious 
endeavors. 

" O, vita, stulto longa, sapienti brevis." 

Charles O. T. Gilman, M. D., was born at Wardsboro, Vt., Sep- 
tember 13, 1840. He was educated at Washington Academy; 
studied medicine with his father, Dr. O. P. Gilman, and graduated 
at the University Medical College, New York, in 1863. He suc- 
ceeded to his father's practice, and died suddenly of heart disease 
February 21st, 1875. As a student he possessed more than ordi- 



THE PHYSICIANS 151 

nary intelligence, was quick of apprehension and had a retentive 
memory. His careful training under his father and his advantages 
in New York, well qualified him for a successful professional career. 
He at once became popular, and rapidly secured a large and respon- 
sible practice. 

Predisposed to pulmonary consumption, and suffering from 
rheumatism and heart disease, he often found the arduous duties of 
professional life too onerous for his endurance, and it was only 
through much suffering and a hard brave struggle that he was able 
to prosecute his profession to its too early and much regretted 
termination. 

Dr. Charles Mansfield McLaurie was born in Argyle, N. Y., April 
25, 1840. He obtained his education at the Argyle Academy, studied 
medicine with Dr. Robert McMurry and Valentine Mott, Sr., New 
York City, and graduated at the University Medical College March 
6, 1862. He came to Salem in 1869, and continued practice here 
until about 1885. He died at Troutbrook, Col., Feb. 12, 1892. Dr. 
McLaurie was a man of fine physique, had a brilliant mind, and was 
intensely active and untiring in his professional career. 

Alfred M. Young, M. D., was born in Greenwich, N. Y., Decem- 
ber 25th, 1839. He was educated at Greenwich Academy; studied 
medicine with Dr. Morgan Cole, of Greenwich, and graduated at 
the Albany Medical College in 1863. He located in practice the 
same year at East Greenwich. He attended a course of lectures 
at Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York, in 1866. In the 
spring of 1875, immediately after the death of Dr. Charles H. Allen 
and Charles O. T. Gilman, Dr. Young removed to Salem. He at 
once secured a large clientelage, and his professional career has 
proved eminently successful and prosperous. He has been coroner 
one term, and he has taken a prominent interest in the public wel- 
fare of the town. 

It is in no small measure due to his exertions and influence that 
the Bancroft Public Library was established, and the public build- 
ing erected. 

Edwin Wilkinson Hill, M. D., was born in Rockdale, England, 
and came to this country when seven years of age. After fitting 
for college, he studied medicine with Dr. Thomas E. Wakefield, 
of Fair Haven, Vt, and graduated at the University Medical Col- 
lege, New York, in 1874. He served on the medical and surgical 
staff of Charity Hospital, New York, one year, and came to Salem 



152 THE SALEM BOOK 

in 1875. In 1876 he removed to Glens Falls, N. Y., where he was 
partner with Dr. James Furgerson until 1885, when he went to 
Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Hill was a man of parts and recognized 
abilities. 

Frederic Jonas Hinds, M. D., was born in Argyle, in 1855. He 
was educated at Washington Academy and Albany State Normal 
School; studied medicine in New York City, and graduated at Belle- 
vue Hospital Medical College in 1875. He immediately came to 
Salem, where, in a healthy location and in a field fully occupied by 
older physicians, he succeeded in establishing himself, by wise and 
close attention to business. Dr. Hinds was a young man of more 
than ordinary abilities, and he studiously cultivated every oppor- 
tunity for improvement. Had he lived, he might easily have come 
to the front rank in his profession. He died, after a brief sickness 
from inflammation of the liver, April 26th, 1887. 

James H. Maguire, M. D., was born in New York City, Novem- 
ber 29th, 1857. He was educated at Washington Academy, Claver- 
ack College, Hudson River Institute, and two years at Cornell Uni- 
versity. He was three years principal of Franklinsville Academy, 
Long Island. He studied medicine in New York, and graduated 
at the University Medical College, class of 1886. He commenced 
practice at Southold, L. I., remaining there one year, and came 
to Salem in May, 1887, as successor to Dr. Hinds. Dr. Maguire 
has already taken rank as a physician, and one of the most promi- 
nent surgeons in the country. 

Joseph Gardner Russell, M. D., was born at Baldwinsville, N. Y., 
in 1858. He graduated at Baldwinsville Academy in 1875, and the 
same year entered Williams College. He matriculated at the New 
York Homoeopathic Medical College in 1877, spending two years 
at this institution, and he then entered the Hahnemann Medical 
College, Chicago, from which he graduated in 1880. He was 
elected professor of nervous diseases for one year in the Hahnemann 
Institute, Chicago. He practiced medicine in Chicago until 1886. 
He came to Salem in 1887, and soon meritoriously established him- 
self as the first permanently successful Homeopathic physician in 
town. In 1894 he was elected coroner. Dr. Russell is an active, 
public-spirited citizen. 

Charles E. Lambert, M. D., was born at Salem, August 24th, 
1866. He fitted for college at Washington Academy and St. Paul's 
Hall, and studied medicine with his father, Dr. John Lambert. He 



THE PHYSICIANS 153 

pursued an extended course of medical instruction and hospital ser- 
vice at College of Physicians and Surgeons and Bellevue Hospital 
Medical College, New York, making surgery, midwifery and gyne- 
cology specialties, and graduated at the latter institution March, 
1893. The same year he entered upon his professional career at 
Salem, where he is rapidly and successfully establishing himself. 

It may be noted that, of the twenty-eight physicians who have 
practiced in Salem, twelve of them were students at Washington 
Academy; and that, with few exceptions, they have been men above 
the average capacity and education. 



i S4 THE SALEM BOOK 



BENCH AND BAR 



The history of the law of a land is the history of its civilization 
and its religion. 

All human law that is in any wise obligatory on society is derived, 
either mediately or immediately, from the revealed law; and the 
consideration of the eternal principles of right and justice, and the 
effort to apply these principles to the daily intercourse of mankind, 
cannot but tend toward the moral elevation of the individual thus 
employed. And, however the ignorant and the thoughtless may 
cavil, the fact indisputably remains that those who attain eminence 
in the legal profession are men of keen moral sense and high per- 
sonal honor; and in no other profession is insincerity, hypocrisy or 
moral turpitude more sure of detection and condemnation. 

The early settlers of Salem, and their immediate successors, were 
imbued with stern morality and exalted religious sentiment, were 
possessed of strong common sense and much executive force, and 
it is not surprising that from such a community should have sprung 
some of the brightest legal lights of the state and country. The 
earlier volumes of the law reports of New York are full of the 
brilliant reasoning and legal erudition of Chief Justice Savage. The 
opinions of Judge Savage, given in rendering decisions on legal 
questions arising before the court of which he was chief, are quoted 
in the law reports of every state in the Union; they have stood the 
test of nearly a century, and are to-day cited in the current volumes 
of the reports of the various states, to sustain the justice and cor- 
rectness of the conclusions reached. 

David Woods, the law partner of Judge Savage before the lat- 
ter's elevation to the bench, was a man of much learning and ability 
in his profession. He removed to Salem on his appointment as 
sheriff of Washington county in 1806, and after the expiration 
of his term as sheriff formed a partnership with Judge Savage, 
which continued several years. While a resident of Salem he was 
twice elected member of assembly, serving in that body in 181 1 
and 1816, and during the latter year discharging with marked 



BENCH AND BAR I55 

ability the onerous duties of speaker of the assembly, a distinction 
which has never before or since been conferred on a member from 

c^lS^T^J ud f ; Z°°i ds was - appointed judge of the 

Anthony I. Blanchard/ ^hWrvSf P°^? n A io * *™era\ years, 
known as a lawyer of ability. Judge BlanV£ Sal , e ™' was wldeI y 
judge of the Court of Common Pleas, enjoyed a refSnl^ y ears 
strict integrity and wise discrimination in the discharge of Ii 
judicial duties. ; 'III 

In the very front rank of the bar of New York state in the early 
part of the present century stood the commanding form and mag- 
netic presence of David Russell, whose skill and forensic ability 
were equalled by few of his contemporaries. He was pre-eminently 
an advocate, and displayed, in the many fierce legal conflicts which 
he fought to a successful issue, wonderful adroitness and marvel- 
lous resource in cross-examination; his ability to draw the truth, 
and the whole of it, from an unwilling witness, became proverbial. 
All lawyers are aware that the most difficult and vexing problem, 
and that requiring the very highest order of talent in the prosecu- 
tion or defense of a cause, is the handling of the adversaries' wit- 
nesses, and in this branch of the profession David Russell stood 
first. That this famous advocate was not lacking in public spirit 
and statesmanlike qualities is evinced by the fact that for a series 
of years he represented the congressional district which embraced 
Salem, in the halls of national legislation. 

Judge John McLean, who resided in Salem for many years, was 
a courtly gentleman of the old school, whose long service on the 
bench as county judge was marked by great dignity and impar- 
tiality; and in the declining years of life his benign presence and 
the Christian sympathy in which he abounded, were a benediction 
to the community. 

Perhaps the most successful of the many law students who 
imbibed the rudiments of their legal knowledge at the feet of David 
Russell was Judge Cornelius L. Allen, who attained to the bench 
of the Supreme Court. Among the wildest dreams of unbridled 
fancy indulged in by the young attorney, after having hung out his 
shingle, and while waiting for clients, is the thought that some time 
he may reach the exalted position of Supreme Court Justice. So 
great is the honor and distinction of this position in the eyes of all 
members of the legal fraternity, that there is witnessed, almost 




is6 THE SALEM BOOK 

every year, in some part of the state, the casting aside of a lucrative 

practice by some brilliant lawyer, that he may assume the functions 
" . r .1 r t -*>.<- .rviien, in 

of this high place in the honors of the profess.^ know = dge rf ^ 

practice, ranked high as a^tnaW" u nusual i y read y i„ debate, and 

law was e3 ^ i 1 ^f n , en t he was uniformlv successful. Possessed of a 
J^F/ral kindly nature and unassuming in manner, he was a universal 
favorite of his brethren at the bar. Judge Allen was district attor- 
ney of the county for three terms, also master and examiner in chan- 
cery for a time, and a member of the New York State Constitutional 
Convention of 1867. 

Bernard Blair, a lawyer of Salem, was associated for twelve years 
with Judge Allen, under the firm name of Allen & Blair. Mr. Blair 
was a man of scholarly attainments, thoroughly versed in legal lore, 
of much public spirit, and active in the advancement of Salem's 
interests. He represented his district in congress with ability and 
fidelity. 

Marinus Fairchild, for many years a practicing attorney in Salem, 
was possessed of an unusually clear and logical mind; his compre- 
hension of a complex legal proposition was thorough, and his eluci- 
dation of the principles involved was sure to sweep away all sophis- 
try and lay bare the shining grains of truth. A young attorney, 
puzzled and distracted over a knotty problem of law or practice, 
found in him a considerate and patient friend and counselor, one 
ever capable of clearing up the doubt and giving a reason for the 
faith he possessed. Unusually sensitive, retiring and modest in 
disposition, it is doubtful if Mr. Fairchild ever experienced much 
of the exhilaration of spirit over his numerous legal successes which 
renders his vocation fascinating to most successful practitioners. 
He once remarked that when defeated he was much depressed, and 
when successful he felt he had accomplished no more than was to be 
expected. Mr. Fairchild served the county with fidelity for four 
years as surrogate, and three years as district attorney. 

This resume of some of the leading lawyers of Salem would be 
incomplete without mention of the name of John H. McFarland. 
Mr. McFarland was what is known in legal parlance as " an office 
lawyer," which, being interpreted, is the lawyer who prepares the 
papers, examines the law of the case, formulates the line of attack 
or defense, interviews the witnesses and arranges the evidence. 
From all which it will be seen that the office lawyer bears about the 



BENCH AND BAR 157 

same relation to the office that the main spring does to the watch. 
For many years John H. McFarland was a faithful co-laborer of 
Judge Allen, and, no doubt, much of the judge's success at the 
bar was due to Mr. McFarland's careful, painstaking and studious 
supervision of the details of the business. 

A deviation from the original intention of mentioning only those 
attorneys who have passed away must be permitted as to Judge 
James Gibson, a native and life-long resident of Salem, who will 
always occupy a prominent place in the history of the town. His 
long legal career has been one of wide celebrity and varied honors. 
Judge Gibson, in his later practice, has been connected with many 
of the most important railroad litigations in the state, and has 
been uniformly successful in this class of cases. It is well known 
that the capital of railroad corporations commands the highest class 
of legal talent, and the fact that the judge has been connected with 
this branch of the profession fixes his place among the foremost 
lawyers of the state. Of great energy, untiring industry, decided 
literary tastes, and disposed to historical research, the life of Judge 
Gibson has indeed been a busy one. Notwithstanding his exten- 
sive practice as a lawyer, and his laborious work as a jurist and a 
legislator, his intensely active intellect has constantly overrun the 
limits of his profession, and as a historian and writer upon current 
topics he stands in the front rank. When only thirty years of age 
the judge was nominated by the Whigs for justice of the Supreme 
Court, but his prominence as a Mason, which order was at that 
time looked upon with suspicion by the public, resulted in his 
defeat. When thirty-four years of age Judge Gibson became 
county judge, being the youngest man ever elevated to this posi- 
tion in Washington county. He represented his district in the 
state senate from 1862 to 1865, taking a very prominent and influ- 
ential part in the deliberations of this body during these years; he 
has also been Grand Master of both the Free Masons and Odd Fel- 
lows. In 185 1 Judge Gibson drew the charter of the village of 
Salem, which was so far-reaching in its provisions that it remains 
practically unaltered to this day. 

The limits of this article forbid more than the mention of St. John 
Honeywood, the brilliant lawyer, artist and poet, long a resident of 
Salem, whose life and writings can be found in the Public Library 
of Salem. 

The names of John McCrea, James B. Gibson, Samuel Stevens, 



15S THE SALEM BOOK 

Cyrus Stevens, John Crary, Jesse L. Billings, John Willard, Samuel 
Nelson, John Russell, Philo Curtis, Moses S. Curtis, John W. 
Proudfit, Roger Crary, Charles Crary, Timothy T. Cronin, Eugene 
Cronin, Thaddeus H. Walker, Allan G. Conant, and the kindly and 
talented James Gibson, Jr., might well be mentioned as lawyers who 
at some period in their lives practiced their profession in Salem, and 
who, having faithfully served their generation, fell on sleep. 



SOCIETIES 159 



SOCIETIES 

The social characteristics of the people of the town of Salem, 
even in the olden days, were very marked; they have never exhib- 
ited selfish or exclusive traits; they have ever mingled with each 
other, and have worked together in a friendly and helping way that 
has been very noticeable, and cannot be too highly commended. 
As a result of this friendly and helpful feeling, many societies, some 
purely social, others of an intellectual and moral nature, and still 
others for the purpose of self protection, have been organized. 
Some of these societies will be very briefly mentioned, but only 
those which, by reason of their antiquity or peculiar object, make 
them of greater interest to the people of the present day; and it 
will be remembered that many others whose history would now be 
interesting, have existed for a longer or shorter period, which can- 
not, for want of the necessary space, be even cursorily adverted to 
in this article. 

Among the oldest societies organized in this town is the one 
known as the Tract Society, which was established in the year 1800 
by a few good and philanthropic men and women, for the purpose 
of disseminating literature of a religious nature, calculated to lead 
men to a higher, purer and more helpful life. This was the pioneer 
tract society of America. In it Dr. Proudfit, its originator, laid 
the foundations upon which the American Tract Society has risen 
and become one of the most powerful factors in our national relig- 
ious life. j ; 

Another society which was organized very early in the century 
was called the Moral Society. It was formed in the year 1818, by 
the young men and women of the town, for the very commendable 
purpose of improving the moral and intellectual nature of them- 
selves and of those with whom they came in contact. The facts in 
regard to this organization are very meager, and it is not known 
how long it continued, but, undoubtedly, its effects are still to be 
seen in the high-toned, moral natures of the descendants in this 
town, of those who formed the society, so many long years ago. 



160 THE SALEM BOOK 

A Praying Society was organized sometime, probably in the 
first years of the century. Among its founders were James McFar- 
land, Robert McMurray, William McFarland, John Rowan and 
Thomas Steele, all well known and leading citizens in the early days 
of the town. The name of the society explains its object, and that 
object was as laudable and noble as any that ever moved the minds 
and energies of men to work in unison. How long these noble 
and unselfish men labored on together for the salvation of their 
fellow beings the writer has been unable to learn, but a perfect 
record has been kept of the work done, by One who never fails to 
reward His servants, and it is enough for us to know that their 
reward is with Him. 

The " Academical Society " was organized in 1839, by the stu- 
dents of Washington Academy, for the intellectual improvement of 
its members; they met weekly, holding spirited debates and listen- 
ing to essays composed and read by the members in turn. This 
society was kept in existence for a considerable period, before it 
finally died out. A society of the same nature and object was, how- 
ever, organized in 1865, by the Academy students and the young 
men and women of the village. The weekly debates were largely 
attended by the people of the village, and many spirited and able 
arguments on the questions of the day were held. It is much to be 
regretted that no such society is at present in existence. 

The " Young Men's Society " was formed, as its name implies, 
by the young men of this village and town, on the 1st day of Feb- 
ruary, 1837. It was of the nature of a club; the members had a 
room, furnished plainly, and provided with the leading newspapers 
and magazines of the day, to which they came whenever their leisure 
permitted, to read, converse, or for purposes of amusement. This 
society was in existence for several years before it was finally dis- 
banded. In 1866, a similar society was organized by the young 
men of this village, who met in the room over Dahmen's store on 
Alain street; and more recently still, in 1893, a society calling itself 
" The Business Men's Club/' with the same object and purposes 
as the two last named, was organized, and is still existing in a 
healthy condition, having its rooms for meeting in the third story 
of the Bancroft Memorial Building. 

Many temperance societies have flourished in this town, run 
their course and disappeared, some of them formed before the 
beginning of the present century; in fact, there has scarcely been a 



SOCIETIES 161 

time during the past five or six decades when one or more tem- 
perance societies have not been in existence and doing a good 
work. One of the most prominent, and whose work was, perhaps, 
among the most beneficial, was the Sons of Temperance, which met 
for many years in the Gibson building, recently destroyed by fire. 
The influence of this society was felt, not only in elections, but in 
many homes where some well-loved member was living a life of 
temperance and sobriety as a result of the reclaiming and restrain- 
ing influence of this organization. 

The Washington County Historical Society was organized in 
1876, with the object of enlightening its members as to matters of 
history. 

During the Civil War there was maintained in this town a branch 
of the Union League Club. 

The Masonic Lodge in this place, Federal Chapter No. 10, is one 
of the oldest in the state. It was organized in the earlier part of 
the century, and although for some years it was not in active oper- 
ation, yet claims a continuous existence. It has held a very promi- 
nent position among the lodges of the states, and its members have 
frequently held places of official honor. Asa Fitch, Sr., was at one 
time Grand High Priest for the state of New York, and Judge 
James Gibson holds the probably unique distinction of having been 
Grand Master for the state, both of the Free Masons and the Odd 
Fellows. 

There has also been for many years in Salem a well-sustained 
Chapter of the Order of Odd Fellows. 

It would be interesting, did space permit, to have the history of 
many other societies which, like the people who belonged to them, 
have been born, flourished for a time, and died. Each church has 
had, and still has, many for the purpose of aiding and benefitting 
their members and the community at large. There have been also 
many of a social and intellectual nature. Many facts in regard to 
them would be in the highest degree interesting at the present 
time, and their histories may some day be written in full. 



i6 2 THE SALEM BOOK 



THE FIRE DEPARTMENT 



Among many notable things about old Salem of Washington, 
may be mentioned its Fire Department. 

Organized almost at the beginning of the corporate existence of 
the village in 1803, it has ever held an enviable and important 
position. 

Always a volunteer organization, serving without pay, its roster 
shows the best and bluest blood of its time among the men sturdily 
marching under its banner. 

Inspection and parades were early the order of the day, and gave 
almost as much excitement and pleasure to the inhabitants as did 
" general training." 

In 1803 the village fathers ordered $200 to be raised for procur- 
ing fire implements. In 1804, $12 was appropriated for fire ladders. 
Later on in the same year fire buckets were ordered, and places 
designated where they should be kept. 

In 1 8 10 the trustees, desirous of increasing the number of fire- 
men, ordered the foreman to present additional names, and in 
accordance with such order twenty names were sent in. (Ah, and 
such names; it does one's heart good to read them over. The writer 
is more than sorry that in this short chapter there is no room for 
the honorable list.) 

In this same year a fire engine was purchased and shelter ordered 
on the lot next north of the Old Court House. Thus, things, in a 
quiet way, went along for many years. 

In 1835 committees were formed to find suitable ground, and 
estimate cost of building an engine house. 

In 1837 a new engine was ordered and made in this village. 

In 1840 contracts were let for two fire wells. In 1849 a new 
engine and hose was ordered, the engine, like the second, manu- 
factured here. 

The company had in its early days an officer called the " horn 
blower," whose duties were to blow his horn ten minutes before the 



THE FIRE DEPARTMENT 163 

time for each regular meeting, and immediately on the alarm of fire. 
That the duties were well performed, old history declares. 

In 1861 the board of trustees decided to purchase Cataract 
Engine No. 8, of Troy, and four hundred feet of hose. At this 
time special legislation was obtained allowing sixty members to man 
the brakes — the old number proving insufficient. 

This was the beginning of old Union No. I, though, as it is the 
lineal descendant of all the old companies, it can and should in- 
scribe upon its badges: "Founded 1803." 

In 1866 the first fire bell was placed over old Union quarters, and 
since then its fierce clang has aroused the town for many and many 
a midnight hurly burly. 

In 1874 the frequency of fires so alarmed the citizens that action 
was taken, a committee appointed, with power to purchase a steam 
fire engine, and the same arrived here in February, 1875, and with it 
one thousand feet of rubber hose. 

In January, 1875, the trustees, upon application, christened it 
Osoma Steamer, and under the leadership of the foreman a com- 
pany was formed and their names formally ratified by the board. 
They called themselves the Osoma Steamer Company, and shortly 
after a hose company, whose duty was to attend the steamer, was 
formed, and inscribed upon its banner " Marion Hose." The Dela- 
ware and Hudson Railroad Company fitted up a room in the round 
house, free of charge, where, for many years, the steamer and hose 
trappings were housed. Later on the steamer and hose, in 1892, 
were removed to rooms specially prepared for them in the Bancroft 
Library and Proudfit Hall Building, where they now, at this writ- 
ing, reside in the full flower of an useful existence. 

In 1875 the C. M. Welles Hook and Ladder Company was organ- 
ized by the trustees, and its founder presented fifteen names for 
ratification, which were accepted. Truck, ladders, buckets, etc., were 
purchased of Trojan Hook and Ladder Company No. 3, of Troy, 
in 1875, and the company immediately began its career. 

A number of gentlemen in the same year formed an association 
and advanced money to erect a special house for them, where they 
were housed for many years, until they, too, were ordered to the 
Public Building, in which rooms had been prepared for them. 

Over seven hundred people have been identified with the depart- 
ment in these ninety-two years of its life, representing in their time 
the best of everything in blood, talent, business and capacity. 



164 THE SALEM BOOK 

The writer is loth to stop, for there are names of worth running 
through four, three and two generations, and material enough to 
make a book of an hundred pages, with incidents of more exciting 
interest than commonly fall to the lot of even the writer of fiction. " 



SALEM IN THE REVOLUTION 165 



SALEM IN THE REVOLUTION 



It is a matter of regret that a more satisfactory record has not 
been kept of the citizens of the town of Salem who served as soldiers 
in the struggle for American independence. In so far as the record 
goes, we can obtain little more than the names of some of them. 
However, it appears, from sources that seem to be reliable, that 
there were very many in the town who were true to the American 
cause, and went forth to do battle for it. At the beginning of the 
Revolutionary period there were not a few who sympathized with 
and were loyal to the crown, but, as the war progressed, their num- 
ber gradually diminished, until at its close very few could be found. 
It is very probable that some of these changed their attitude from 
motives of policy — they may have been like the man who sat on 
the fence until he saw which side looked the best, and then got 
down on that, but at this distance, we cannot speak definitely as to 
this. And yet, we must be charitable toward those who were, at 
least for a time, loyal to Great Britain. Many of them had but 
recently come from the mother country, and it could scarcely be 
expected that the children would be ready, at once, to take up 
arms against their mother, even though that mother was most 
unmotherly in her conduct. It is said of Rev. Thomas Clark, the 
founder and first pastor of the United Presbyterian Church, that his 
sympathies at the beginning of the war were not clearly with the 
American cause. He afterwards, however, espoused the cause of 
his adopted country, and was most pronounced in his public utter- 
ances in favor of independence. So radical a patriot did he become, 
that at the close of the war, when he was asked by a man who had 
been a Tory to baptize his child, he refused to administer the ordi- 
nance until the man should repent of his sin. From this it may be 
inferred that he had truly repented of his own. As in his case, so 
in the case of many others, there was repentance and the bringing 
forth fruits meet for repentance. 

Of those who stood out prominently among the patriots, John 
Williams, M. D., might be mentioned. He took an active part in 



1 66 THE SALEM BOOK 

all that tended to strengthen and make successful the American 
cause. In the early part of 1776, he was commissioned colonel of 
a regiment which was raised mainly by his own efforts in the county 
of Charlotte, and remained its commander, except for a brief period, 
through the war. He also served as surgeon in one of the New 
York regiments, in which capacity he rendered most valuable ser- 
vice. He was at the battle of Monmouth, under Washington, sup- 
posably doing the double duty of regimental commander and army 
surgeon. It is of 

Bennington, Bemis Heights, and also with Gates, with whom he 
seems to have been on intimate terms of friendship, at Schuyler- 
ville, as also at the surrender of Burgoyne. After the close of the 
war Colonel Williams continued the commander of his regiment 
until the next year, when he became brigadier-general. He was a 
man of far-reaching influence, and during that trying period, it was 
all exerted on the side of the cause that lay so near his heart. At 
this distance, it is impossible to estimate the value of his services; 
perhaps even in that day they were not fully appreciated. 

Another of the prominent patriots of the town during this period 
was Colonel Joseph McCracken. It is said of him that he was a 
most enthusiastic patriot. He was commander of the American 
troops for a time stationed here. He was in many of the battles 
of the war, and at the battle of Monmouth was so badly wounded 
in the arm as to render amputation necessary. The operation was 
performed by his friend, Dr. Williams. 

Mention might also be made of Captain McNitt, who was in com- 
mand of what was known as " The Black Creek Militia." Being on 
one occasion attacked by a company of Tories, he and his men took 
refuge in a building on what is now known as the Captain Hays 
farm, and after a sharp fight repulsed the attacking party. There 
are those still living who have seen the marks of conflict on the old 
building. 

A man living but a short distance north of the village, by the 
name of Moore, is said to have been so violent in his demonstra- 
tions against the Tories, that he was called "Mad Moore." 

There were, doubtless, many others of whom honorable mention 
might be made if the facts were only known. It is known that this 
town had its representatives at Bennington. Bemis Heights, Schuy- 
lerville and Monmouth, and no doubt many of them distinguished 
themselves by their bravery and deeds of valor. 



SALEM IN THE REVOLUTION 167 

The following is a list of the names, so far as they can be ascer- 
tained, of those who did military service during some part of the 
Revolutionary war. There are doubtless other names which should 
be added to this list, but because of the neglect of some person they 
must remain among the " unknown heroes." 

AFFLECH James, ABBEE Eleazer, ALDRIDGE David, 
ALEXANDER James, ALLEN Henry, ANDERSON John, 
ANNES Joseph, ARMSTRONG James, John, Robert and Thomas. 

BAKER Solomon and Timothy, BARBER Jonathan, BARKER 
Nathaniel, BARNS James, John and John, Jr., BARTLETT Bar- 
tharmew, BEATY John and Thomas, BELL Robert and William, 
BELLOWS Thomas, BESSEY Elias, BENNINGER Isaac, 
BIGELOW Samuel, BLACK James, BLAKELY David, George, 
James and John, BLAKENEY Nicholas, BOTHWELL James, 
BOYD John, Robert and Thomas, BRISTOL Silas, BROWN 
lames and Zeremiah. 

CALDWELL Robert, CAMPBELL William, CULVER, Sam- 
uel, CARSWELL Abner, David, Nathaniel and Samuel, CHAM- 
BERS John, CLARK Ebenezer, James, John and Thomas, 
CLEVELAND Benjamin, COLLINS Thomas and John, CON- 
KEY John, Joshua, Joseph, Richard and Silas, COVEL Jacob, 
CRAIG James, CREIGHTON Robert, CROCKER Ephraim and 
Levi, CROSSETT John and Samuel, CROUCH Richard, CRUIK- 
SHANK George and William. 

DIBBLE William, DOTY Theodoras and John, DICH John, 
DUBOIS Abram, DUNCAN John, DUNLAP John, DUNN 
Alexander E. 

EASTEN George, EDGAR David, EDIE Joshua, ELLIS Ben- 
jamin, EMBURY David, EVANS John. 

FARNSWORTH Solomon, FISHER David and John, FITCH 
Asa, Elisha, Peletiah and Peletiah, Jr., FOSTER Abraham, John 
and Richard, FOWLER George, FRYGH John, FULLER 
Nathaniel. 

GAMBEL James and Samuel, GARRA Alexander and Sidney, 
GATES Joshua, GAULT Alexander and John, GAYNOR Edward, 
GETTY* Adam, David, John, Robert and Robert, Jr., GIBSON 
John and Thomas, GILCHRIST James and John, GILLIS Alex- 
ander and Archibald, GILMORE Robert, GOULD Jabez, GRA- 
HAM John, William and Winthrop, GRAY David, Edward, Isaac, 
John, John, Jr., Nathaniel, Samuel, Silas and William, GRIMES 



1 68 THE SALEM BOOK 

John and William, GROVE Benjamin, GUTHRIE George, John 
and Samuel. 

HALL Michael, HAMILTON James, John and Joseph, 
HANNA John, HARRINGTON James and Peter, HARRA Jos- 
eph and Samuel, HARSHA John, HARVEY Benjamin and James, 
HASCALL Bradshaw, HENDERSON, Alexander, David, John 
and William, HENRY Hugh and John, HIGGINS Robert, HOP- 
KINS David and David, Jr., George, Isaac, James and James, Jr.. 
Tohn, Nathan, Samuel and Samuel, Jr., HOY Richard, William, 
William Jr., HUGGINS Robert and' William, HUNSDON Alan, 
Alexander and John, and John, Jr., HUTCHAN Charles, HAR- 
MON Alpheus, Alpheus, Jr., Martin and Selah. 

JACKSON Nathan. 

LAMOND Francis and John, LAW John, LIVINGSTON Dan- 
iel or Donald and John, LYON Samuel and Thomas, LYTLE An- 
drew, Isaac, James, John, Robert and William, LONG Edward, 
LOOMIS William, LOUDON John. 

McALLISTER Hamilton and John, McARTHUR John, Robert 
and Samuel, McCARTER John and John, Jr., and Robert, Mc- 
CARTY Hugh, McCLAUGHRY Andrew and Mathew, Mc- 
CLEARY Daniel, David and John, McCLUER John, McCOY 
John and William. McCRACKEN David, Joseph and Josiah, 
McDONALD Alexander and John, McFARLAND James and 
James, Jr., John and William, McGARRA Alexander, Sidney, 
McGINNESS Peter, McKILLOP Thomas and John, McKNIGHT 
David and George, McLEOD Daniel or Donald, McMICKLE 
John and Robert, McMILLAN John, McMURRAY Robert, Mc- 
NISH Alexander, Andrew, James and Joseph, McNITT Alexander 
and Alexander, Jr., Andrew, Daniel, David and John, McQUEEN 
Peter, McQUIVEY Asa, McWEAR William, McWETHY David 
and Silas, McWHORTER John, James and Mathew, MAINS James, 
MARTIN Hugh, John, Joseph and Moses, MATHEWS Robert 
and William, MATHIAS William, MATHISON Daniel or Donald. 
MILLER Ezekiel, George, James, John, William and William, Jr., 
MILLS James, MITCHELL Robert, MOFFAT William, MON- 
CRIEF Hugh and William, MORGAN Nathan, MORRISON 
Ephraim, Hugh, James, John, Samuel and Thomas, MOOR, Hugh, 
lames and James, jr., and Tohn, MUNSON Tohn and Nathaniel, 
MURDOCH Hezekiah. ! 

NESBITT John, NEVIUS John, Nilson, Joseph. 



SALEM IN THE REVOLUTION 169 

ORR Thomas, OSWALD Thomas. 

PAGE Christopher and William, PARISH John and Josiah, 
PENNELL Isaac, John, Moses and Robert, PARKER Michael, 
PATTENGILL Oliver, PATTERSON David, Ezra, Jacob, Joseph 
and Levi, PECK John, PITCHER Reuben, POLLOCK William. 

QUA Robert. 

RAMAGE James and John, RANALDS Hugh and John, RICE 
David, RISING Abram, ROBINSON George, ROGES Hugh, 
James and William, ROWAN James, John and John, Jr., RUS- 
SELL Ebenezer. 

SAVAGE Edward and James, SCOTT Elijah, SHAPLEIGH 
Richard, SHEPHERD Henry and John, SIMPSON Alexander, 
Andrew and John, SKINNER David, SLARRA Joseph and Sam- 
uel, SLOAN James and William, SMITH Aaron, Gilbert and Wil- 
liam, SPENCER Ezekiel, STEEL John and Thomas, STEVEN- 
SON James, STEWART Alexander and Alexander, Jr., Archi- 
bald, David, James, Robert, Solomon and William, STONE Aaron. 

TEAKLE James, TELLER Ahashuerus, John and William, 
TERILL Amos, Samuel and William, THOMAS Ephraim and 
Joel, THOMPSON Jacob, James and James, Jr., John, William 
and William, Jr., TITUS Timothy, TOMB David, James, Joseph 
and Thomas, TRACY Solomon, TUCKER Joseph, TURNER 
Alexander, Reuben and James. 

WADE Solomon, WALLACE John, WALKER James, John 
and Stephen, WARREN Mordecai, WEBB David and John, 
WEBSTER Alexander, WELCH Daniel, WHEDON David, 
Dennison, Edmond and Edmond, Jr., WHITE John, WHITMORE 
Benjamin, WILCOX Jered, WILLIAMS David, John, Lemuel, 
Lewis, Samuel and Thomas, WILSON David, James and James, Jr., 
Joseph, John, Nathan, Peter and Robert, WRIGHT Jonathan and 
Samuel, WOOD Reuben. 

In the town of Salem there were no extensive military operations 
in way of battles, no great conflict took place here. The town, 
however, was threatened, and preparations were made for defense 
against any attacking party. The New England congregation, as it 
was then called, were engaged in the erection of a church building — 
the incomplete church was converted into a fort by the patriot 
forces, the church was put into better shape as a place of defense, 
and facilities for feeding the soldiers were arranged within. A 
stockade was built around with logs taken from the first church 



i 7 o THE SALEM BOOK 

built by Dr. Clark's colony, then known as the "Scotch Church." 
This fort was built in 1777. With the remainder of the logs of the 
old church, a blockhouse was built the next year on what is now 
known as " Mill hill," as an outpost of the fort. This fort was 
attacked by a party from Burgoyne's army, but they were repulsed 
by the patriots under the command of Colonel McCracken. Mili- 
tary stores were kept in this fort and sent out as they were needed. 
This fort stood only a short time. In the early autumn of the next 
year after the stockade was completed, the inhabitants of the town 
were compelled to flee by the approach of Burgoyne's army, and in 
their absence the fort was burned by the Tories. But while the 
town seemed to be deserted by the patriots, it was not entirely so. 
Some sought hiding places among the hills, where they kept an 
eye on what was transpiring until the danger was past and then 
returned, and it is said that these men were able to make such reve- 
lations in reference to the attitude of certain parties, that on the 
return of the patriots who had fled, it became so uncomfortable for 
the Tories that they deemed it advisable to leave the town perma- 
nently, and this they did. Taking all things into consideration, no 
doubt they did wisely. 

There were other heroes in those days than those who bore arms 
and contended on the field of battle. The times were perilous 
times, but the wives and mothers were equal to what was demanded 
of them. What was demanded of them! Who can appreciate what 
that was? Husbands and fathers and brothers were doing mili- 
tary duty, and bands of Indians were liable to fall upon them at 
any time, the care of the house and home interests was largely 
theirs, and yet they bravely accepted the situation with no sem- 
blance of faltering. The courage in the home was certainly not 
far behind that of the battle field. While, therefore, we honor the 
memory of the Revolutionary fathers, let us not forget, at the same 
time, to pay due honor to the memory of the Revolutionary mothers 
whose devotion and sacrifice contributed in no small degree toward 
the triumph of the cause of American independence. 

This brief and fragmentary article is not at all what it ought to 
be, but it is the best that could be prepared in the circumstances. 
It may, however, be sufficient to remind the citizens of Salem in 
the time to come, that in the Revolutionary days, the town claimed 
many sons and daughters, who did their part toward making the 
struggle of the colonies for independence triumphant. It may also 



SALEM IN THE REVOLUTION 171 

serve to impress upon the present generation the truth which 
needs to be felt and acknowledged more than it yet has been, that 
others have labored and we have entered into their labors, that we 
are not procurers, but inheritors, and should transmit the inherit- 
ance not merely unimpaired, but with great accession, to the gen- 
eration following. 



172 THE SALEM BOOK 



SOLDIERS OF THE WAR FOR THE UNION 

The warm and exciting political contest of i860 resulted in the 
election of Abraham Lincoln to the office of President of the United 
States. The hotheads of the south had proclaimed their intention, 
if such should be the result, to dissolve, what they deemed the 
copartnership of the states, and set up for themselves a confederacy, 
where the " divine " right to hold their fellow beings, who were 
blacker in the color of their skin than they, in the bonds of slavery, 
as human chattels, should be recognized as one of the corner 
stones. So, when the official result of that election was declared, 
measures were taken to carry out their threats. South Carolina, 
always fiery and fond of secession, found no Andrew Jackson in the 
presidential chair to declare in his vehement style, " The union must 
and shall be preserved," and so led the way, weak James Buchanan 
looking on " in listless despair." Other states, south of Mason and 
Dixon's line, swung from their moorings and joined the Palmetto 
state. 

Lincoln was inaugurated on the 4th of March, 1861. A republi- 
can administration was at the helm, but southern men and southern 
states kept on with their scheming to destroy the union and degrade 
the " Old Flag," ignoring entirely the patriotic and noble declara- 
tions of his inaugural address. On the 12th of April the sound of 
rebel guns firing upon Sumter reverberated through the north and 
fired every patriotic heart. Treason was rampant, but from thou- 
sands of throats rang out with vigor, "Old Hickory's" declaration: 
" The union must and shall be preserved." Troops were called for 
and in every city, town and hamlet there sprang up gallant men, 
ready to do service, and if need be, die for the preservation of the 
Union, handed down to them by brave and noble fathers. 

In common with other towns, Salem was not destitute of patri- 
otic citizens, who were willing to leave the peaceful pursuits of life, 
forego the comforts of home and the pleasant associations of their 
social life, for the trying experiences of the camp, the field and 
battle. It is unfortunate that we have not access to any publication 



SOLDIERS OF THE WAR FOR THE UNION 173 

that gives us a full history of those days in our own town ; that tells us 
who was first to put his name down as a volunteer. There were no 
full companies raised in Salem, in '61 , we think, but many 
of our townspeople went into companies started in other towns, and 
were connected with regiments made up of companies from different 
counties. So we know that some of our townsmen were mustered 
into the Twenty-second New York Infantry, a regiment which saw 
much active service and lost many men. One of the officers of the 
line in this regiment was Thomas B. Fisk, of Shushan, and another 
who enlisted as a private, but won his bars, was William T. Beattie, 
of the village, who was killed, if we mistake not, at the second 
Bull Run battle. There were others also from our town, but we 
have not their names. In the Ninety-third New York Infantry, 
there were quite a number from Salem, one of our citizens, James 
M. Crawford, having a commission in one of the companies when 
the regiment went to the front. 

The Second Cavalry, as it was first called, had one company 
recruited in Salem, by Col. S. W. Russell, though many of its mem- 
bers were from other towns in the county. This company, mustered 
in September 7, 1861, was mustered out of the service in the spring 
of 1862, with the regiment, there being, as was then thought, too 
many of the cavalry in the service. Many of the members of this 
company re-enlisted in other regiments, Captain Russell being 
detached for staff duty with General David Russell. In the summer 
of 1862 there was a call for " 300,000 more." The campaign of 
McClellan before Richmond had resulted disastrously, and it was 
apparent that men in much larger numbers would be needed. This 
call, while it showed very plainly the serious character of the struggle 
in which we were engaged, also aroused in loyal men a spirit of 
determination that the country should be kept intact and that every 
sacrifice must be made to secure that result. In the arrangement 
for this state's apportionment to fill that call, one regiment of 
infantry was asked for from Rensselaer and Washington counties, 
but each county resolved to raise a regiment. A meeting was called 
at Argyle, which was largely attended, on the 22d of July, 1862, and 
at that meeting, presided over by Judge Allen of Salem, stirring 
addresses were made and the patriotism of the people greatly 
aroused. It was heartily resolved to raise a regiment in our county, 
and that A. L. McDougall, Esq., of Salem, be named as its colonel. 
The different towns were divided into company districts, and com- 



i 7 4 THE SALEM BOOK 

mittees appointed to aid in enlisting volunteers. At a subsequent 
meeting of the war committee, John King of Salem was appointed 
quartermaster of the regiment. On the twenty-ninth of July, George 
H. Wallance, who was designated as the adjutant of the regiment, 
and John King, the quartermaster, enlisted at Albany, were com- 
missioned and mustered into the United States service, being the 
first officers of the new regiment mustered in; the other field and 
line officers being mustered at "Camp Washington," located on die 
then fair grounds at Salem, on September 4, 1862. The colonel of 
the regiment, being from Salem, we cannot refrain from expressing 
regret, that the Salem company was not promptly raised, so that it 
could have held the right of the regiment as Company "A," but 
that honor was secured by the Greenwich company, the first, with 
beating drums and waving " Old Glory/' to march into camp. The 
Salem company was letter " H." 

The regiment broke camp the evening of September fifth. Who 
that was in Salem that night or that was in the cars starting for 
the front, will ever forget that evening? The night was warm, the 
moon shining as brightly as it could through the hazy atmosphere. 
Crowds of people had gathered in Salem. Fathers, mothers, sisters, 
brothers, sweethearts and friends were there to speak words of fare- 
well and utter wishes for protection and safe return. There were 
pressures of the hands and words of parting spoken that were never 
to be felt or spoken again to and by many on that train. Amid the 
shouts and cheers of the gathered throng the cars moved away. 
The shouts grew less in sound, and there were many eyes peering 
earnestly from car window and platform to catch a last look at the 
dear old valley. At Shushan and at Cambridge other crowds 
were gathered, other cheers given and other good-byes said and 
we were off. We reached New York on Saturday and, formed in 
line, marched to the barracks, located where now stands the post- 
office. Sabbath afternoon we were again in line; marched to the 
steamboat that took us to Perth Amboy, where we disembarked 
and entered the cars for a night ride. Monday morning found the 
regiment in Philadelphia, to breakfast at the Cooper refreshment 
room, that noble institution, which provided so much of comfort 
for regiments passing through the city. Here the messenger of 
death came to one of the Salem company, Evander Burtis, the first 
one of the regiment who gave his life for his country. It is need- 
less here to give the itinerary of the regiment, but it can properly 



SOLDIERS OF THE WAR FOR THE UNION 175 

be said that it was a good regiment, having good officers in the 
main, and that its record during the war, in the Army of the Poto- 
mac and with Sherman, in his march to the sea, was one of which 
every resident of our county may be justly proud. 

There were other soldiers, in other regiments, before and subse- 
quent to the going out of the One Hundred and Twenty-third, 
and of our town it is written, " The town was in advance of all 
demands of the government and more than met them, having men 
standing to its credit in excess of quotas at the close of the war." 
We trust we shall never have another war, either among ourselves 
or with another nation, but if such an event occur, may old Salem be 
equally patriotic. 

It will be allowable, perhaps, to individualize some who, in the 
great strife for the preservation and integrity of the Union, gave 
themselves even to the death. Most noted, because of his position, 
was Gen. David A. Russell. Much, however, was to be expected 
of him. He was the nation's ward, having enjoyed its fostering 
care and educational advantages at West Point, and the nation had 
great claims upon him. As a captain in the regular army, with 
little Phil Sheridan as his lieutenant, he was with his company in 
Washington territory at the breaking out of hostilities. He came 
east, we think in the spring of 1862, and went into active service, 
and it was not long before Russell and Sheridan were heard from. 
General Russell fell in the service at Winchester, Va. No doubt, 
if spared, he would have made a conspicuous record, for he was an 
intelligent and brave officer. Of Col. A. L. McDougall we may 
say, that going to the war was to him a great personal sacrifice. 
The colonel had a growing and interesting family, and a good pro- 
fessional business. It would seem that he could present reasons 
for not entering the service far more forcible than were presented 
by many, but his heart was full of patriotism, and so he went to, 
the front. Colonel McDougall made a good soldier and officer; 
he was liked and esteemed by his associate officers and by his men. 
It was while with Sherman, on the march to the sea, and about the 
25th of May, 1864, that the battle of Dallas or New Hope Church 
was fought, and it was in one of the charges, while bravely urging 
his men on, that the fatal bullet entered one of his knees, shattering 
it frightfully and requiring its amputation. From that wound the 
Colonel did not recover, but died at Chattanooga, on the twenty- 
third of June, another life given to quell the treason of the south. 



1 76 THE SALEM BOOK 

Colonel McDougall's remains were brought to Salem and deposited 
in our beautiful Evergreen cemetery, where also lie the remains of 
General Russell and other heroes who reached an honored end in 
their country's service. It is to be written that no monument 
marks the grave where the body of Colonel McDougall lies, and 
thus Salem has honored the memory of one who manifested his 
patriotism by giving his life for his country. 

With the Saiem company we have particularly to do. This com- 
pany was officered by John S. Crary, as captain; Benjamin Elliot, 
as first lieutenant, and Josiah H. Culver, as second lieutenant. The 
two former officers resigned their commissions and retired from the 
army in less than a year from their enlistment, while the second lieu- 
tenant remained in the service to the close of the war and was mus- 
tered out as the captain of the company. Among the privates of 
this company were some of our noble young men. From the ranks, 
at least three, Robert Cruikshank, Robert Beattie and Laurence M. 
Roy were promoted and became commissioned officers, while many 
others were brave soldiers and doubtless w : orthy ot promotion. 
There were seventy-eight men in the Salem company enlisted in 
the town, and as some other companies exceeded their quotas some 
of their number were transferred to this company. The record of 
the company we take from Sergeant Morehouse's Reminiscences 
of the One Hundred and Twenty-third Regiment. This roll shows 
the company number, including officers, as being eighty-seven. Of 
this number we find that two commissioned officers resigned. Of 
the privates that were discharged for disability, four; from wounds, 
one; from hospitals at different places and times, nine; that were left 
sick at Salem, who did not report for duty, two; that were trans- 
ferred to invalid corps, two ; that deserted, three ; that were missed on 
marches, two ; that there w r ere five of the manner of whose discharge 
there is no statement; that there was one suicide; that there died 
from disease, twelve; died from wounds, four; killed on picket or 
in battle, four; taken prisoners and not heard from, two; returned 
with the regiment and were mustered out, thirty-four. Of the latter, 
nine had received w r ounds and two had been prisoners of war. 

Those who were killed were: James L. Beattie, while on picket 
duty; John A. Mairs and Wm. L. Rich, at Chancellorsville, and 
Peter McNassar, at Culps Farm. Those who died from wounds 
received were: Archibald Johnston, at Chancellorsville; Henry Dan- 
forth, at Peach Tree Creek; Joseph Kearsing, at Culps Farm, in 



SOLDIERS OF THE WAR FOR THE UNION 177 

confederate hospital at his death, and Corporal Win. H. Stewart, at 
Chancellorsville. 

It will be seen that only eight were killed or died from wounds 
received, while twelve were carried off by disease, thus showing that 
the exposures of camp life, the imperfect dietetic arrangements, and 
want of care when sick, were more fatal to the boys than the bullets 
or sabers of the enemy. When we remember these experiences we 
wonder that so many came back, and are not surprised when we sec 
that the experiences of that trying ordeal has made many prema- 
turely old, and shortened, to human observation, the lives of many 
others. 

The war of 1861-1865 closed with the surrender of Lee, at Appo- 
matox, virtually, and then was witnessed the sublime spectacle of 
the disbanding of the great host of soldiers, who had been mus- 
tered in for the defense of the union, and their return to their homes. 
Years of service in camp and in the field, some feared would have a 
deteriorating effect upon the men, and that, released from the 
restraints of army discipline, they would become a terror and 
scourge to the community. But such fears were groundless. 
American soldiers were American citizens, and the terrible and 
trying scenes through which they had passed did not lessen their 
respect for law and their conscious obligation to serve their country 
as well in peace as in war. So they, who had borne the brunt of the 
fight, the inertia of camp life, the want of good food and the depri- 
vation of social life, were glad to get back to their homes and friends, 
to participate in the blessings of domestic and neighborhood life 
and rejoice that this " cruel war was over." 

As we write we hear the echoes of that grand encampment of the 
G. A. R., at Louisville, Ky., where the blue and the gray meet 
again — not as foes, facing each other in deadly strife, 
but as friends, to clasp hands and vie with each other, as they enthu- 
siastically salute " Old Glory," the one flag of the united nation, 
which, may the God of nations never sever. We close with the 
words of Watterson, in his speech: "Blessed, thrice blessed, we 
who have lived to see fulfilled the psalmist's prophecy of peace: 

Peace in the quiet dales, 
Made rankly fertile by the blood of men : 
Peace in the woodland and the lowly glen, 

Peace in the peopled vales. 



178 THE SALEM BOOK 

Peace in the crowded town : 
Peace in a thousand fields of waving grain : 
Peace in the highway and the rlow'ry lane, 

Peace o'er the wind swept down. 

Peace on the whirring masts. 
Peace where the scholar thinks, the hunter roams, 
Peace, God of peace, peace, peace in all our homes 

And all our hearts." 



CHARACTERISTICS 179 



CHARACTERISTICS 



One who essays to trace the ancestral footprints, and determine 
therefrom the characteristics of a people, should possess " the pen 
of a ready writer," like unto the David of old; should possess an 
exceptionally clear insight into the hearts and minds of men, like 
Dickens; should, to be a faithful writer, have grown up with the 
times; be, in fact, a very Methuselah. Inadequacy of qualification 
confronts the writer at this point, who fain would steal away until 
" Old Father Time," in oft recurring cycling, shall have hewn 
down with his scythe all obstacles to his aspirations as a writer. 

The characteristics of any little burgh, from its birth through its 
first generation, make such marks upon its history as time can 
hardly efface. 

' ' By trifles in our common ways, 
Our characters are slowly piled, 
We lose not all our yesterdays ; 
The man has something of the child. 
Part of the past to all the present cleaves, 
As the rose-odors linger in the fading leaves." 

Time, swift of foot and unchangeable, goes steadily on; mean- 
while, " the times," chameleon-like, are ever changing, and, replete 
with new books and new schemes emanating from the minds of 
new men, tend to bring about new circumstances and to develop 
new phases of long-remembered characteristics. It might be pos- 
sible to draw from the pages of by-gone days, recognizable indi- 
vidualities, for we can almost single out on the face of the old-time 
picture of Training Day, the " Micawber," the " Miss Lillerton," 
and the " Scrooge " of Salem town. But we must generalize. 

" All good things are in trinities." We select, then, and note 
briefly, from the many attributes inherent in these people, three 
distinct traits, which will furnish an adequate and fair insight into 
their lives. 



i So THE SALEM BOOK 

Hospitality, open-handed, large-hearted hospitality, an attribute 
of no mean ministry, as known among the tes of early years, 

stands prominently forth. The stranger within its gates never 
knew his lack. They hardly recognized the fact that they were 
strangers, so kindly were they received; indeed, they were almost in 
the condition of the man who had chosen for a pet a " king of 
beasts/' whose anxiety to befriend his master, and keep the flies 
from his face while he slept, resulted in his death. He was literally 
killed with kindness. The testimony of all who visit Salem to the 
present time, whether singly or in crowds, bears out the fact that 
" part of the past to the present cleaves." It seems not out of place 
to mention in this connection the fact of a provision in our beau- 
tiful cemetery for the reception of the strangers when they shall 
have slept their last sleep. A spot so beautiful that we might 
almost wish ourselves strangers; a spot where creation's anthems 
are ever attuned to God's praise, where nature's offerings are ever 
proffered. Its robe of living green; its sober-hued but beautiful 
wrappings of autumn, and its tenderly deposited slumber-robe of 
purity, all according to season. 

We turn the page and are thrilled as we read of the patriotism 
and valor which entered so largely into the lives of the early settlers, 
and without which no colony could stand. Proof enough we have 
in the fact of their ultimate successes. 

Once more we turn a leaf. They were good; so good. Indeed, 
those good old times, to which our faith is pinned and of which 
we have heard so much, smacked so of goodness, that we are prone 
to congratulate ourselves that we are of the present. Perhaps we 
are the fiction of human literature, while they represent the history. 
We do not feel with Mark Twain, how ever, that " we don't want to 
be like any of their good people, we prefer a little healthy wicked- 
ness." We are far from speaking disparagingly of their goodness, 
for to the existence of this attribute of strength we owe much. 
Coming as they did to a new country for the sake of religious lib- 
erty, battling with their might for the means of subsistence, striving 
against all manner of discouragements, required a strength of pur- 
pose and a faith, deep and abiding. Devotion to their God under 
whatever circumstances seemed to have been the purpose of their 
lives. There are unrecorded volumes, lost poems and unsung 
anthems in the lives of those forerunners of our times. 



CHARACTERISTICS 181 

" I like the man who faces what he must 
With step triumphant and a heart of cheer ; 
Who fights the daily battle without fear ; 
Sees his hopes fail, yet keeps unfaltering trust 
That God is God. " 

Only three links from a great chain forged in the heat of life's 
battle, each one fitly joined to the other, bearing a weight of mean- 
ing, suggestive of strength, durability and usefulness. 



182 THE SALEM BOOK 



DISTINGUISHED VISITORS 

# 

Salem has been and is a Mecca to which illustrious individuals 
from early history to the present time have been wont to resort. 
It would be interesting to know the " times and the seasons " of the 
coming of these great men to the little village, tucked in among 
the hills, away from the distracting elements of the busy world, 
but history is silent to the whys and the wherefores. We can only 
conjecture that, like Canaan of old. it was " pleasant to the eye 
and a land to be desired." 

In the early history of our country calamitous war was abroad in 
the vicinity, and we read of the marching of troops and military 
maneuvers; it is reasonable to suppose matters connected with the 
army brought thither men prominent in the Revolutionary struggle. 

We know of Ethan Allen being often in Salem, and we are sure 
the presence of the grand old defender of our liberty must have 
served to strengthen the hearts of the patriots, and fill them with 
courage and enthusiasm. Later, Aaron Burr visited Salem, pre- 
sumably the guest of General Williams, for he is remembered as 
attending service in the White Church and occupying the General's 
pew. 

Another great and good man was Jared Sparks, who, in his boy- 
hood, lived some years in Washington county. His biography 
tells us "while obtaining the rudiments of an education, he worked 
on a farm;" it may be the healthful soil and invigorating atmos- 
phere developed in the ambitious youth the seeds of future useful- 
ness, for afterward we hear of him as teacher, preacher, professor 
and prominent journalist. He must have had tender associations 
connected with his early home, and revisited it often, for a monu- 
ment erected by him to a faithful nurse is to be seen in Evergreen 
Cemetery. 

DeWitt Clinton, mayor of New York city, state senator, and 
twice governor, was a frequent visitor in Salem. He must have 
rhoueht well of the intellectual atmosphere, for he placed a son in 
Washington Academy; the young man lived in the familv of Dr. 



DISTINGUISHED VISITORS 183 

Proudfit. Many clergymen of all denominations have tarried a 
little in Salem. We know of Rev. Nicholas Murray, known by his 
nom de plume of " Kirwan," being often here. He is doubtless 
familiar to many through his correspondence with Rt. Rev. Bishop 
Hughes of the Roman Catholic Church. Many were the visits of 
Rev. George Bethune, a prominent Presbyterian divine and author. 

Samuel Irenaeus Prime, also clergyman, and editor of the New 
York Observer; Dr. Nathan S. Beman. another distinguished min- 
ister, are also to be named among Salem's visitors. 

Many Episcopal bishops have been Salem's honored guests. Dr. 
Henry C. Potter, P. E., bishop of New York; his uncle. Horatio 
Potter, also bishop of the same state; Rt. Rev. John Scarborough, 
bishop of New Jersey; Rt. Rev. Leighton Coleman, bishop of Dela- 
ware, and Bishop William C. Doane, of Albany. The Roman 
Catholic Church has been represented by Archbishop McCloskey, 
recently created Cardinal by Pope Leo XIII. 

Many distinguished men of science and dignitaries of the law 
have visited Salem. Judges of the supreme court — among these, 
Charles O. Tappen. Martin S. Stover. D. Cady Herrick. and others. 
Of prominent lawyers, ex-Judge Thomas Moran, and Salem's own 
son, the late Judge King McAllister, both of Chicago. 

Many physicians and surgeons of wide reputation have been with 
us. either for recreation, or in the cause of suffering humanity. \Ye 
hear of Dr. Allen McLean Hamilton, nephew of Alexander Hamil- 
ton, one of the most distinguished physicians of New York, and 
authority in special cases ; Dr. Allen March and Dr. LeRoy McLean. 

Philanthropy has had its representative in the late William E. 
Dodge. 

Generals in the late civil war, wearing both the blue and the 
gray, have visited Salem. Brig.-Gen. Wool, a veteran of the Mexi- 
can war, also prominent in the War of the Rebellion: Gen. Philip 
Sheridan, whose brilliant achievements will grow more lustrous as 
the years go by: Adj. Gen. Sprague; Gen. Edmund Schriver and 
Gen. Frederick Townsend. United States army; Major-Gen. Zolli- 
coffer, of the Confederate army, and others. 

From the lecture platform. Bayard Taylor. Horace Greeley and 
Robert Bruce, with many others, have addressed the people of 
Salem. 

Distinguished artists have sought inspiration from the charming 
contour of mountain, hill and winding stream. Among them must 



i8 4 THE SALEM BOOK 

be named James Heart, and Jarvis, an English artist of distinction, 
who was an early visitor. 

Salem has entertained great and honorable women not a few. 
Susan B. Anthony, the first in the field of reform; Mrs. Julia Ward 
Howe, another espouser of woman's suffrage. Both of these rep- 
resentative women have done battle for their sisters in the upward 
march to higher education, and enlargement of ideas. 



DECORATIONS 185 



DECORATIONS 



Perceptive powers differ in different individuals. All men are 
not alike endowed. That which yields to some pleasure creates in 
others loathing and aversion. The beautiful does not display itself 
alike to every member of the human race. The harmony of color- 
ing which is considered beautiful by one person appears the reverse 
to others. But there is a harmonious blending of colors, and sym- 
metrical proportion of parts so beautiful, that, when placed before 
us, it is instantly and instinctively perceived and cannot fail to give 
pleasure to the beholder. 

" The volume of the world is legible alone to those who use the 
interlinear version of the light, which is the spirit, and given within 
ourselves." 

The first record of a public decoration that we have been able to 
find occurred in 1814, when Commodore McDonough, the hero of 
Plattsburgh, passed through our village. Even in that early time 
the hearts of our people were stirred. Triumphal arches were 
erected and the National colors were seen on all sides. 

July 4, i860, was a memorable day in the annals of Salem. This, 
the eighty-fourth Independence Day, was celebrated in a manner 
that was worthy in every respect of imitation by true and loyal 
citizens. The most marked and exciting event of that day was the 
visit of the Japanese Ambassage, who had just completed the nego- 
tiation of their treaty with the United States. The visitors viewed 
the demonstration with wonderment and left the village much 
impressed by the good people of Salem. The stars and stripes 
were, of course, the chief feature in the decorations of this day, 
still yards of green, innumerable bunches of flowers, and colored 
lights in the evening added their beauty to the enchanting scene. 

October thirtieth, this same year, Salem again proved that she 

ranked among the foremost in her enthusiasm for decoration. The 

village was visited on that day by Hon. F. K. Zollincoffer, who, in 

the evening, addressed a mass meeting. The village was literally 

13 



i86 THE SALEM BOOK 

a bower of green and a most beautiful sight it presented. A paper, 
in speaking of the event, said : " The whole demonstration was a 
powerful and impressing one." 

The lack of space prevents a detailed chronicling of the celebra- 
tions over the election of Lincoln and Grant to the presidency and 
of the departure of Colonel McDougall for the war. At these 
times the whole town turned out en masse and had enthusiastic 
demonstrations and brilliant decorations. 

It was the sad duty of Salemites, on September 20, 1863, to have 
a demonstration of sorrow and mourning. Reference is made to 
the death of Major Russell, one of the town's foremost and most 
honored citizens. Expressions of mourning and grief were seen 
on all sides. The village was heavily draped in the insignia of 
mourning. 

The next general decoration of the village was in 1865, when the 
One Hundred and Twenty-third Regiment returned from the 
rebellion. The heroes were given a royal welcome. The flag they 
had most gallantly fought for was the impressive feature of the 
decoration. Arches were erected across the streets, flowers and 
greens were artistically arranged, and a large number of mottoes 
were placed about the village, and altogether it was a most stirring 
and impressive sight. 

The one hundredth anniversary of our much beloved and hon- 
ored academy, in 1880, brings to mind another time of decoration. 

The harvest home festivals and the decoration that always attended 
them are worthy of mention in the history of Salem's decorations. 
While they were all attended by elaborate decoration, in 1883 the 
finest display was made. The beauty of the church's interior and 
the parish grounds are still fresh in the minds of us all and need 
not be dwelt upon here. These beautiful and appropriate festivals 
were inaugurated by the Rev. J. H. Houghton, for many years the 
beloved rector of St. Paul's church; and it was largely owing to his 
untiring energy and enthusiasm that they grew to be one of the 
" events " of the year. 

It was in June, 1890, that again we call to mind elaborate decora- 
tions, the event being the laving of the corner stone of our much- 
enjoyed public library. This was one of the important days in the 
history of the village. The decorations were in perfect accord and 
harmony with the occasion. 



DECORATIONS 187 

A fitting close to this brief record is a mention of the decoration 
in the United Presbyterian Church on Thanksgiving Day of 1893. 
The decorations were of grain and fruit, tastefully arranged by the 
willing workers in that sanctuary, and bearing an impressive mes- 
sage of gratitude to the giver of all good, through whose loving 
bounty our village has been so abundantly blessed. 



188 THE SALEM BOOK 



NOTED BUILDINGS 



A community of such antiquity as Salem is an organism. In it 
there are to be found controlling centers with a manifest influence 
upon the entire community. These centers are of two classes, per- 
sonal and local. The influence of the personal centers is transient; 
that of the local is abiding. 

It falls to the province of the present chapter to mention some 
of the sites and buildings which have exercised a marked influence 
upon Salem's history. The churches and their influence upon the 
village life has elsewhere been described. No mention, therefore, 
will here be made of them. The schools, also, and their part in 
the development of community life have been elsewhere recorded. 

It would not be possible, however, to make a catalogue of Salem's 
noted buildings that would prove at all satisfactory without at least 
mentioning Washington Academy. The first school in the town 
adjoined the Scotch church, but in 1776 the scene of education was 
shifted to the ground where the residence of John King now stands. 
In 1809, the present site, upon West Broadway, was selected, and 
although the early building and its immediate successor have passed 
away, yet still in the same spot is to be found the fountain of learn- 
ing from which streams of intellectual enlightenment proceed. 

The present building is impressive in appearance, and convenient 
in appointments. The student of human nature, as he looks upon 
it, will not fail to draw the inference that the citizens of Salem place 
a high estimate on the value of education in a well-developed life. 

Perhaps no single spot exercises a stronger influence upon vil- 
lage social life than the old time hostelry. The first building in 
the town of Salem, the cabin of James Turner, stood upon the site 
of the On-da-wa. From it's first building to the present day it has 
ministered to the needs of the wayfarer. Although the pioneer log 
hut, with the smooth stump of a tree in the center for a table soon 
gave place to a building partly brick and partly wood, and this 
building was, in 1840, burned to the ground, yet no long time 



NOTED BUILDINGS 189 

elapsed until it was replaced by the commodious and beautiful build- 
ing which still affords the wearied traveler a pleasant place of 
tarrying. 

In 1776, another inn, "The Salem House," occupied one of the 
principal corners of the village. A singular fate of ill-fortune seems 
to have followed it. Three times it was leveled to the ground by 
fire. Then its owners, undaunted by past reverses, erected a busi- 
ness block upon the site, for ninety-five years employed for hotel 
purposes. Only a short time, however, passed until "The Fair- 
child Building" also was consumed to ashes. For several years 
after this time the site remained idle bearing the marks of ruin and 
desolation. It was then purchased by the village of Salem, and 
upon it erected " The Bancroft Library and Proudfit Hall," of which 
Salem villagers are so deservedly proud. 

By the noble use to which it is now devoted, let us hope that the 
baleful fortune which has seemed to attend it has been forever 
averted, and that from henceforth its history shall be one of unin- 
terrupted good fortune and usefulness. 

Salem's position as county seat or shire town has no doubt con- 
tributed to its pre-eminence; the court house, therefore, must be 
included in our survey of noted buildings. 

Before the Revolution, courts were held in the Old Scotch Meet- 
ing House, then the largest building but one in the entire county. 
During the war the few sessions of the courts that were convened 
seem to have been held in the same place. Soon after the close of 
the war the first court house was built a little back of the present 
position of the People's Bank. In 1866, the administration of jus- 
tice was transferred to the present site and building. The position 
and character of the present structure are most impressive. Stand- 
ing as it does at the head of the street, its strong, simple lines seem 
to fittingly symbolize the dominance of the principles of eternal jus- 
tice that is essential to the happiness of a right thinking community. 

Other buildings might well be named. We might speak of the 
banking buildings, and the old trading stands where, for more than 
a century, the traffic of the country side has been carried on, but 
limits of space forbid their separate description. 

In conclusion, however, it seems proper, to draw attention to the 
spirit of conservatism manifested in the tenacity with which our vil- 
lage holds to the old sites of influence. Ours is not a reckless 
shifting community seeking for nothing else but " to hear or to tell 



i 9 o THE SALEM BOOK 

some new thing." We prove all things: We hold fast that which 
is good. 

We feel no shame in walking the paths where our fathers walked 
nor in living in their homes. The buildings and the sites of the 
past are dear to us in the present. We love their very stones and 
dust. Long may it be ere the ruthless hand of the destroyer shall 
be laid upon them. 



OLD HOMESTEADS 1^1 



OLD HOMESTEADS 



From the first settlement of Salem our fathers were wont to 
regard with peculiar affection and make the object of especial care, 
the home. Built as they were in the wilderness, those first rude 
dwellings had little indeed of the comfort and convenience which 
marks those of later years, yet they were not upon this account the 
less dear to those who called them home. The fifth house in the town 
was that of John Lytle, and there is extant a letter of his wife, Mrs. 
Lytle, in which she says that when first she entered it with her 
infant in her arms she danced all around, so great was her joy in 
setting foot in a home which she could call her own. This cabin 
was probably a fair specimen of the homes of that day. It was 
built of small logs, with wide, open cracks between them to be filled 
up with clay on the approach of cold weather. It had no floor or 
chimney, and for a fireplace had a large, flat stone leaning against 
the legs on one side of the inclosure. How little do we who now 
enjoy our comfortable homes, surrounded with nearly everything 
we can desire to make life comfortable to us, how little do we think 
of the discomforts, perils and harships of those who subdued the 
wilderness and adapted this place for the abode of a civilized people. 

As our fathers, however, increased in prosperity they neglected 
nothing that they could procure to add to the comfort and attractive- 
ness of their homes, and there are standing in our village 
to-day many monuments to their taste and thoughtfulness. 
Salem, as a village of the olden time, is rich in old 
homesteads built in the sensible style of long ago, that 
sought comfort first of all, and yet on that very account 
attained the truest beauty. There is an air of dignity about 
these old homesteads as if they were sensible of their position. They 
are typical of the time in which they were built, and they speak to 
us impressively of all that was best in it. Those were the days 
when a man's house was his castle, and when his dearest and most 
highly prized experiences were those of in-doors. It was the age 



192 THE SALEM BOOK 

of home life, and much of the sterling character of our country's 
manhood is due to the molding influence of the homes of old 
Salem and such as they. In describing a few of the old homesteads 
of Salem we shall try to choose some of the oldest and most typical. 

The Williams mansion was erected during the Revolutionary war. 
It was of very unusual size for the period in which it was built. It 
was designed by one of the most noted architects of the time. The 
General Newell mansion of Sturbridge, Mass., is another product of 
his skill. The design of the Williams home plainly declares the 
influence of the idea of the French chateau upon the architect's 
mind. The house is set back some distance from the street and is 
surrounded by grandly arching elms upon a velvety lawn. There 
is a high piazza in the front from which you enter a broad hall 
that runs through the house and opens upon a second veranda in 
the rear. A broad staircase runs from the lower hall to the second 
story, where there is also a hall of spacious dimensions. This stair- 
case has been altered three times to suit the needs of the different 
generations. The house remains unchanged except that a slop- 
ing roof has taken the place of the old time gambrel, and the por- 
ter's lodges have disappeared from the gates. One of the most 
attractive features of the house is the large open fireplace, in many 
of the open rooms, still preserved for use. The antique furniture 
has been brought to light and restored to its former position of 
honor. Here also can be found the old hobby horse which has 
proved the delight of the children of five generations. The house is 
wrapped in historical associations, and in it there may be found many 
relics of an honorable past. 

The Warford house was built about a century ago by Rev. John 
Warford, first pastor of the Presbyterian church. It is a large 
house built in Colonial style and set in the midst of hills. 

A great deal of interest attaches to the Cooney house, as it is one 
of the oldest houses standing in the town. It has a secret chamber, 
which was probably built to meet the needs of smugglers. It is a 
compartment in the cellar reached only by a passage-way from 
the second story. Its existence was forgotten, and it was rediscov- 
ered by accident when the house was being repaired some sixty 
years ago. 

The Walker house was built by Colonel McCracken about one 
hundred years ago. The bricks of which it is constructed were 
made upon the farm. The house is large and shaded by many 



OLD HOMESTEADS 193 

beautiful trees. Hiram Walker bought the place in 1841, and it 
has since remained in the Walker family. 

The Blanchard house was built in true Colonial style by General 
Williams for his daughter Maria. The broad hall runs through the 
house, and as in the Williams mansion, opens on a large veranda 
in the rear. The trimmings of the house without and within are 
carved by hand. The wood work in the parlor is beautifully carved, 
especially an arch in the back of the room. Beneath this arch all 
the marriages of the family for four generations have taken place. 
A stone seat is to be found in the cellar, upon which unruly slaves 
used to be chained for punishment. When General Montgomery's 
body was taken from Montreal to New York, it lay over night in 
the broad hall of this house. 

The McNish house was built by Alexander McNish in 1794, and 
has always remained in his family. In the basement of this house 
there is an immense fireplace in which the ancient crane still hangs. 

Other homesteads worthy of mention are the Freeman house, 
built in 1798 by Captain Archibald, who had a tannery on the little 
creek in the rear of the house; and the Savage house, built by Judge 
Savage. It is a fine old brick house situated upon the Turnpike. 

The Bruce house originally stood upon the present site of the 
home of Mrs. Hyde, and was moved from there to its present posi- 
tion on the corner opposite the Roman Catholic church. This 
house was built in 1793, and was used as a tavern. 

The McAllister homestead on the Turnpike was built by Hamil- 
ton McAllister, and is one of the oldest houses in town. 

One part of the Stevenson house is a log cabin built probably 
by David Matthews in 1774. This part, which stands in the rear, 
has been clap-boarded and a modern front added to it. 

Another old home is the Proudfit house, built in 1800 by General 
Williams. 

There is one other homestead of which we would speak. It is a 
house gray with age. The paint once white has been nearly effaced 
by the storms. It is surrounded by a dense growth of trees through 
which the sun penetrates only to cast deeper shadows upon its walls. 
The fence before the house has long since succumbed to old age. 
The wind as it sighs through the pines seems to take with each 
sigh a drop of the heart's blood of this old home, and leave it still 
sadder and older to look upon. This old Fitch homestead is sit- 
uated abut two miles and a half out of the village of Salem, and is 



194 THE SALEM BOOK 

more than a century old. It is the exact counterpart of a residence 
still standing in Leicester, Mass., built more than two hundred years 
ago. Its style of architecture is entirely different from that of any 
other dwelling in this vicinity. The paper upon the walls is the 
same that was put there more than a hundred years ago, and 
resembles the paper used on some of the rooms in the Manor House 
in Albany. The windows are large, but have many panes of small 
glass. The roof is high and slopes in four directions, each side 
having two dormer windows set in. These also have many small 
panes of glass. The dignity and pride of this old building are not 
lost, but are touched by the deeper beauty of pathos through the 
desolation which in these latter days has come upon it. 

During the latter years of the last century and the first years of the 
present, many other houses were built in Salem, but space forbids 
our making mention of them. Enough has been already said to 
show that Salem has a right to be proud of her ancient foundations, 
and to reverence the age which could and did build homesteads, in 
all that the name implies. 



ANTIQUE FURNITURE 195 



ANTIQUE FURNITURE 
* 

Relics of the past come trooping through the mind at the mention 
of these words; richly carved sofas, chippendale tables, straight- 
backed chairs, handsome pier-tables and gilded mirrors of the old- 
time parlor, or, to go a story higher, mahogany post bedsteads, with 
dimity valances, and tall chests of drawers, with handles of brass, 
wherein were little samplers and silken pictures which told of wom- 
anly fingers long since at rest. But let us mount another flight 
and search for hidden treasures in the old homestead garret. A 
stream of sunlight from the oval window falls upon a hair-covered 
chest studded with brass nails; one almost fears to lift the lid, so 
sacred seem the contents; satin and lace catch the eye when it is 
open, tiny slippers and gloves lie at one side, while a white satin 
vest and stock speak of the love which left these thus together. 

Around this dimly lighted room are various articles which have 
fallen behind the times, book-cases and tables, foot-stoves and fen- 
ders, andirons and bellows; other antiquities had furnished the gar- 
ret until a fashion-craze suddenly called them down; the old brass 
bed-warmer, with its long black handle, which had hung for years 
in obscurity, now polished and tied with ribbon, adorns the crooked 
stairway; the ancestral desk was taken from its dusty corner to 
become the pride of the wide old hall; a sideboard stands near the 
garret stairs only waiting the day which shall call it back to service; 
with pride and pleasure it must have entered the home, for the 
straight legs and inlaid satin wood prove it to have been the latest 
style a century ago. 

The loft also contains some relics of interest; spinning-wheels, 
quilting-frames and rods for candle-dipping; cradles, too, are stand- 
ing there, but all of these are out of use forever. 

The old-time kitchen furniture excites much wonder in these 
modern days ; there still is the huge fire-place with its swinging crane, 
on which hung the singing kettle of coal black iron, beside it the 
deep, dark oven, from which, with the aid of that long handled 



196 THE SALEM BOOK 

shovel, issued bread, pies and cake without limit. We recall, too, 
the "tin-kitchen,"* in which revolved the big turkey or little pig, till 
they were roasted to a turn. That tall gray churn with heavy 
dasher tells of many a sigh, but the broad, high table — who can 
dream of half its story? History is silent concerning the slaves, 
but some, we know, have folded their lazy arms and rested their 
woolly heads upon its edge; here, too, has burned many a tallow dip, 
while the old story of love made life below stairs so blissful; one 
generation has followed another, but the great wooden table stands 
there still with only the scars of time. Shall we venture into the 
cellar? In former times there was much of terror there, for, 
stretched on the low meat bench in the dark hallway a ghastly 
porker was always seen when "killing-time'' had come; beside it 
stood the various implements which waited for the morrow. Pass- 
ing on, are dimly seen the large wooden bins, built high around the 
walls, and these were rarely empty in those days of long ago. The 
vinegar hogshead has always been a wonderment, with its dark and 
dusky " mother.'' Steel-yards and lanterns of all sizes and kinds 
hang uselessly in this corner, but the cold, stone floor so warns of a 
coming chill that the safer pantry is quickly sought. 

There lies the old waffle-iron which savors of good cheer, mortar 
and pestle which long pounded the spice, a jiggering-iron whose 
wheel still scallops the pies, and great black skewers which now are 
never used. See the large wooden bread bowl carved from a single 
knot, whose faithful service deserves a kindly thought. These all 
held no ignoble place in those happy days of yore, for what would 
this ancient home have been without its hospitality? 

In a letter from Rev. J. D. Wells, of Brooklyn, giving reminisc- 
ences of his early days in Salem, he writes: "There, for the first 
time in my life I heard a piano-forte, and wondered at the skill 
which made it discourse such sweet music." How great the change 
in time and mind; now, it stands silent and forgotten, or, if its keys 
are touched, they call forth only the mockery of music. 

Some signs of art there are in this modest little town to which 
time has only added higher value; portraits by Jarvis, "an artist of 
astonishing powers," who ranked among the first of his time. May 
we not claim an interest in his works, since they have hung on Salem 
walls for fully ninety years? His miniatures also are gems of art 
which vie with the skill of the present day. The powers of this 



ANTIQUE FURNITURE 197 

artist are clearly shown in another homestead, where he portrayed 
the face of the " Gray Man/' whose restlessness few could subdue. 
Standing under the ghostly painting is a quaint writing-desk with 
its secret drawer, which has interested many generations of children. 
We will sit in DeWitt Clinton's arm-chair, and examine the work- 
manship of another, made by hand, before the Revolution; its claw 
feet and carved back speak well for the diligence of those times. 
The eye is then attracted by a handsome harmonium, invented in 
1762; practice only is lacking with which to bring out the sweetness 
of the past. We are also shown an almost forgotten invention of 
1 79 1, which represented the revolutions of the heavenly bodies, but 
now only serves to keep extant the name of Dr. Rittenhouse. 

Before bidding adieu to these time-worn mementoes, let us glance 
at the picture of New York city in 1793, and compare the " old rope 
walk" with the Fifth avenue of to-day; not many who there prome- 
nade, have leisure to think of Salem's antique furniture. 



i 9 8 THE SALEM BOOK 



EARLY TRAFFIC AND TRAVEL 



The experiences through which the pioneer settlers of any coun- 
try have to pass are far from pleasant or desirable. Ours is a com- 
paratively new land, but such rapid strides have been made in facili- 
ties for communicating with commercial centers, and for annihilat- 
ing distances by our modes of travel and transportation, that we feel 
comparatively old. Even to go back the one hundred and thirty 
years of our town's history, we are unable to picture fully to our- 
selves the great discomforts those early settlers must have passed 
through, if there was not in many cases real suffering. When we 
think that there were no roads to travel, and that for some time 
the actual necessities of life had to be transported on the backs of 
horses, and those animals very few in number; that the nearest base 
of supplies seems to have been at Stillwater, on the Hudson, and 
that going and coming would, of necessity, be attended with expos- 
ure to the elements, to the wild beasts of the forest or to the prowl- 
ing Indian, we can have some idea of the times that must have 
tried the souls of these early pioneers. We have no account that 
we can refer to that tells us how the common necessities of life 
were supplied to the families who located in the valley and on these 
hills of Salem in 1765-66, for the first seven or eight years after 
their coming, and so we seem shut up to the conclusion that they 
were obtained by trips to Stillwater as aforesaid. Imagination may 
conclude that there were irrepressible Yankees ready to add to their 
frugal store, who, learning of the Turners, the Conkeys, the McCol- 
listers and other Pelham families who had gone to the new settle- 
ment, would gather up such needed notions and articles of traffic 
as they thought the distant settlers would require, and follow on in 
their wake; or that the thrifty, money-making Dutch settlers of 
Albany would send out from their midst those intent upon gain, 
for trade and traffic with the inhabitants of New Perth or White 
Creek. So the " peddler," whose visit nowadays is often a source 
of annoyance, would be a veritable godsend to these early settlers, 



EARLY TRAFFIC AND TRAVEL 199 

with his desirable wares and his budget of news from the busier 
portions of the world. How dreadfully inconvenient it must have 
been to have got along in those days. The query involuntary arises, 
where did they get their stock, their poultry, their cats and dogs? 
How were all these things brought here? What contracted quar- 
ters they must have had! What a slow process of cutting the tim- 
ber, getting it to the location chosen for the home, placing in posi- 
tion, covering with bark and " chinking " up with mud, but when 
done, what a comfortable thought that they could have a home of 
their own, and that they could worship the God of their fathers with 
none to molest or forbid. It must have been, when they wished 
to strike a fire, that their old flint locks were called into use, and at 
night the coals were carefully raked together and covered with 
ashes, that the glowing bed in the morning might soon set into a 
blaze the fuel supplied. If the unlucky family, however, found the 
fire all gone in the morning, then John or Tom or Mary or Jane 
must take t;he shovel and go to the nearest neighbors and " borrow " 
some coals. Those little matches, found now in every home, were 
not then in existence, and indeed the same condition of things 
existed down to the '20's or '30's of the present century. 

It was some seven or eight years after the first settlers came here 
that the first store was erected and business commenced in it. A 
store was built where the farm house of Mr. James S. McDonald 
now stands, or near to it, and near by were potash works, an 
industry of some considerable extent in the early history of the 
town. The first store, probably, was built by James Turner, one of 
the three original settlers of the town, in the year 1773, or about 
that time, this store antedating the Revolution. It is, of course, 
unknown where purchases of goods were made by those conduct- 
ing these stores, but very likely Albany may have been their first 
place for purchase and for sale of potash and produce of the farms. 
Roads by this period must have been constructed and goods trans- 
ported by horse power to the village. Other stores followed, but 
how soon after this one it is difficult to say. There are those still 
living in Salem who recall the old yellow store on the turnpike, 
just below the McAllister, now the Dunn farm house, which must 
have been one of the early stores. They remember, too, Major 
James Harvey, whose tall form had a habit of bending backwards, 
and whose defective eyes excited some disrespectful remarks from 



2oo THE SALEM BOOK 

some of the rude boys of the day. The Major, it appears, succeeded 
to the Turner store in 1794, but subsequently he sold out, going to 
Pelham, N. Y., from which place he returned to Salem in 18 19 and 
resumed business " at the old stand." In 1822 he entered his new 
store, for many years known as the Harvey store, afterwards as the 
Freeman store, it having been for more than forty years the busi- 
ness home of the late Marvin Freeman and his different associates 
in business. We remember, too, the store known as the 
" Matthews " store, but which is said to have been built before the 
beginning of the present century by " Priest Nichols," as he was 
called, for his nephew, James Nichols. We have heard it said of 
James Nichols that he was a very intellig'ent man, and for some 
time the only man in the village who took a daily paper; and at his 
store the citizens were accustomed to gather in the evenings to hear 
the daily news read. 

We all know the pretty store of Johnson & Dundon, once famil- 
iarly known as the Hawley store. It was one of the ancients. Here 
Mr. James Hawley did business, and here, probably, at the com- 
mencement of the present century, the post-office was kept, as he 
was postmaster, so the Northern Sentinel says, in 1802. It is inter- 
esting to note among the letters advertised as remaining in the post- 
office on July 1st of that year, there are those addressed to residents 
of Argyle, Easton, Hebron, Sandgate, Rewport, Camden, Arlington, 
and others to Washington county, indicating that, possibly, post- 
office facilities were not enjoyed in these towns. Joseph Hawley 
succeeded James in the mercantile business. As was quite the gen- 
eral custom in those days, a common and necessary part of the stock 
in trade was spirituous liquors. Coming up the west road could 
be seen nearly every day the stalwart, noble form of old Squire G., 
who, it was said, would proceed to Hawley's store, purchase his 
quart of " Santa Cruz," and spend his forenoon in imbibing and con- 
versation ; leaving his bottle and going to his home, he would return 
after the noonday meal and finish the quart before leaving for the 
night. He was a large man and of great capacity. 

We remember, too, the old book store building which occupied 
the site where stands the First National Bank building, and the 
yard extending to the Cooney building. In this was located the 
book store of Dodd & Stevenson, and the publishing office of the 
Northern Sentinel and the County Post. There were also stores, 



EARLY TRAFFIC AND TRAVEL 201 

in one of which at one time there did business Major Wm. McFar- 
land, frequently called the " Five Majors," perhaps to distinguish 
him from another Wm. McFarland, who did business across the 
road in the Turner store, and who was familiarly called " Store 
Billy." In the north room also our late fellow citizen Deacon Ben- 
jamin Clevland commenced his mercantile career, which was so suc- 
cessful, in a small way, selling cakes, candy, oysters and small beer. 

We all know the " Old Corner " store, originally built by Ebenezer 
Proudfit, perhaps about 1802 or 1803. It has changed in appear- 
ance somewhat from the early days of its history. Mr. Proudfit 
has had many successors, but it is one of the old stores of which, we 
believe, it can be said, no failures in business have ever occurred 
within its walls. 

We also remember the little grocery in the building that stood 
where Mr. Abrams now lives, with its genial proprietor, a " culled 
pusson " by the name of Qualk and the other one " so dear to the 
heart from childhood," the little red building that stood where Wil- 
liam McFarland's house now stands, kept by one known far and 
near as "Dumb George," Mr. G. W. Gantz, over whose counter 
and into whose till went many a copper coin in exchange for candy 
or nuts. But that old place gave way to a very nice two-story frame 
building, subsequently built and occupied as dwelling and store by 
the late Alonzo Gray, who had for his partner in business his 
brother Lyman, and it was destroyed in the last fire of 1840. 

The early merchants had a lengthy trip when they went to New 
York to purchase their goods. The great Northern Turnpike was 
opened, we know not the year, between Lansingburgh and Rutland, 
in Vermont, and it was one of the sights of the day to witness the 
stage coach come rolling into town, its advent announced by the 
driver's horn, and its four and sometimes six steeds driven with 
matchless skill by the driver, to the front entrance of the hotel. 
Until the stage coach came, it must have been by private vehicles 
that the road to Troy was passed over. From Troy there were no 
steamboats, as that mode of travel was yet in the future, but sloops, 
that carried passengers, subject to all delays by wind, weather and 
tides. It is said the time consumed was often from four to six weeks, 
and careful, prudent men adjusted their earthly affairs, made their 
wills, etc., before commencing the journey. What delays there 
must have been in getting home these goods. We do not know 
14 



202 THE SALEM BOOK 

how the ladies secured the newest styles of bonnets. It would not 
answer to have such delays now, for the fashion would change 
before the goods reached their destination. 

There must have been very little money in circulation in those 
days, and very much of the trade was by barter, the exchange of 
produce or articles of home manufacture for the imported goods. 
This was true even down to the fifties, the opening of the railroad 
in 1852 working a great change in the character of business. In 
those early days there was grown flax to considerable extent, which 
was prepared at home, and formed the material for many articles 
of household use, for domestic clothing, and for traffic at the stores 
in exchange for other commodities. This manufactured material 
was in the form of tow cloth, toweling, bags, linen, threads, twine, 
etc. The wrapping twine used in our stores, perhaps until about 
1800, was largely spun on the little wheels in our own town. This 
was succeeded by a twine made from paper, we think, and this in 
turn by cotton twine, now so much improved and commonly used. 
The sheep furnished the wool from which our mothers made the 
coverlids and blankets needed for bedding, the pressed flannels and 
kerseys for dresses, and flannels for undenvear, stockings, etc. The 
hides of the animals were tanned at near-by tanneries, perhaps Cap- 
tain Bob Archibald's, which we think was in the rear of the Freeman 
store, or, perhaps, at Harkness' tannery, which was where Dillon 
resides near Beaverbrook, and then the peripatetic cobbler would 
go to the house and make up the shoes for all the household. The 
story is told of one of our former citizens, that when a boy he was 
the proud possessor of a new pair of boots, just at the time that 
good Dr. Proudfit was visiting the paternal home on a catechising 
tour. Turning to the youngster he propounded the question: 
"Josiah, who made you?" Looking with pride upon his valuable 
possessions, he surprised the good doctor by replying: " Father 
found the leather and Mr. Danon made them." 

The surplus produce, previous to the advent of the railroad, was 
mainly carted by the farmers to Lansingburgh or Troy. This, of 
course, made a busy time for the farmers at certain seasons of the 
year, and as the people thought goods could be purchased cheaper 
there than at home, it was no uncommon thing to see a farm wagon 
loaded with grain, carrying with the driver a female member of his 
household, frequently calling forth the remark, " that load of grain 



EARLY TRAFFIC AND TRAVEL 203 

is mortgaged." Pork was formerly raised in large quantities in this 
vicinity, and was bought and packed to a great extent. It is said 
one of our old townsmen, with his enterprising son, came into the 
" Old Corner " store to sell his pork, but there was some difference 
in views about the price; so the son, in the pride of his learning, 
exclaimed : " Well, father, let's take it to Troy, we'll get twenty-five 
cents more a hundred, and they will take it at Troy weight, twelve 
ounces to the pound." That boy survived his father, and made a 
very good and successful citizen, after all. 

The vehicles of the olden times were not such as present day 
Johns are using. It would be of interest to know what the first 
vehicle was and when introduced. We are told that in the earliest 
days of Dr. Clark's colony there was but one horse owned, and that 
one by Elder David Tomb. This important animal carried the 
grain to the mill at Stillwater, bearing as much as prudent to load 
him with, his human friend traveling on foot and guiding him, 
directed doubtless by the blazed trees through the forests guiltless 
of roads. Wagons, however, came. Largely, they must have been 
strong, heavy lumber wagons, and for seats, boards across the 
boxes, or chairs, with quilts and coverlids taking the place of the 
robes and bright lap coverings of the present day. But it was a 
goodly sight to see those wagons driving into the " gathering of the 
congregation " on the Lord's day or on fast days, filled with the 
aged and the young, ready to praise the Lord for his mercy to them. 
The sleighs used in the winter were many of them doubtless very 
rude and funny in their appearance. The " one hoss " shay had its 
day, but it was after many years that the buggy made its appear- 
ance. It was said to be a source of grief to good Dr. Proudfit 
when they were introduced into the town, as he thought it would 
decrease the attendance of families upon church ordinances. Does 
not our observation confirm the correctness of his views. 

What changes have been wrought in the one hundred and thirty 
years which have passed since the valley was first occupied by white 
men. The forests on hill and valley have given place to cultivated 
fields and grassy meads; the log house and barn has given place 
to commodious dwellings and capacious barns; the trail and blazed 
track is succeeded by the broad and well cared-for pike; transporta- 
tion by team, and passenger travel by coach and four, have given 
place to the iron steed with his train of cars, conveying the increased 



204 THE SALEM BOOK 

production of the farms, and furnishing luxurious and comfortable 
facilities for travel, distance being annihilated, as it were, and far 
away places brought into close proximity. No slow and tedious 
waiting for friendly communications, but fast mail facilities bring us 
into rapid intercourse with friends, while telegraph and telephone 
unfold occurring sounds, and speak to us in familiar voices through 
miles of intervening distance. "Great things the Lord hath done 
for us." 



OLD TIME CUSTOMS 205 



OLD TIME CUSTOMS 



Probably Salem in its old-time customs was not unlike any other 
town of its age in this part of America. The difficulties of making 
a home in a strange land made work the chief part of each man 
and woman's life. So it was natural that in the earliest forms 01 
amusement and social life, we find an attempt to turn work into 
play. A building to be raised, a quilt to be quilted, or a barn full 
of corn to be husked, was made the welcome excuse for a " bee." 
A picture full of warmth and brightness is called up by the thought 
of the old-time " apple paring." Many busy hands soon had the 
apples freed from skin and core, ready for the strings with which 
the kitchen was to be festooned. When the work was done, with 
many a joke, the floor was cleared and the merry violin brought in. 
" Virginia Reel " or " Money Musk " or the old quadrille, now kept 
feet and thoughts alert, while romping games were often introduced 
to vary the amusements. 

But work was not the sole excuse for merriment. There was 
the old-time dance, with its quaint costume and formal grace, the- 
gay coasting parties, the sleighing parties and the straw rides. The 
old school houses were the scenes of many an exciting " spelling 
down," and there the young men and maidens gathered for the 
singing school. 

Men of the olden time are said to have been very free in their 
drinking habits. It was not such a disgrace then, as now, for a man 
to be intoxicated, and history states that Salem had at one time 
from ten to fifteen prosperous taverns. There is an old-time record 
which chronicles an agreement of several well-known men of Salem 
thus: 

" We, the subscribers, do bind ourselves together in sincerity and honor not 
to furnish any laborer in hay time or harvest more than one-half pint of rum 
per day, as that quantity is judged sufficient to fit a man for labor, and a 
greater quantity as leading to unfitness and intemperance. 

" And as a penalty, necessary to enforce this resolve, we do further mentally 
agree to refuse our vote or influence to advance the man to any office who 



206 THE SALEM BOOK 

shall, in the judgment of the majority of the subscribers, have departed from 
the aforesaid resolution." 

Any evening devoted to pleasure would have been deemed incom- 
plete without its pitcher of cider, and tradition says that too great 
freshness was not required of it. 

The " training days " were days of the greatest importance dur- 
ing their continuance. There were three of these. The Officers 1 
Training Day, when the officers of the regiment of the southern 
part of the county met, usually in Salem, for drill. The Company 
Training Day, when the infantry, artillery and cavalry were all 
assembled. The infantry had guns but no uniform, while the artil- 
lery and cavalry were fully equipped. The General Training Day 
was in September. The field used was the north side of West 
Broadway, extending down to the present Academy, and back 
beyond the railroad. It was a veritable gala day, and men, women 
and children gathered from far and near. Wagons containing 
fruit and cider, ginger-bread and fancy cakes, and other allurements 
of like character, were stationed on both sides of the street as far 
down as the White Church grounds. The training days were kept 
up until about 1850. In very old times passengers and mail were 
brought by the lumbering old stages drawn by four or six horses. 
Loads of produce were taken to Lansingburgh for sale, and there 
much of the shopping was done. The old merchants made their 
regular trips to New York to purchase goods. 

The papers printed in the county were not sent by the stage, 
but special men or post riders were employed to take the papers 
as soon as printed, and deliver them to the subscribers in the var- 
ious towns, sounding their horns to announce their coming. 

The punishments inflicted in the very early times were those 
which the New England settlers had brought to this land with 
them. The pillory, the whipping post, and the branding iron were 
the instruments. Sometimes the penalties seemed disproportion- 
ate to the offense. There is a record of one man being punished 
for perjury by one hour in the pillory, and a long term of years in 
the state prison, while a housebreaker was fined only ten pounds. 

In the old church, possibly the most curious customs are found. 
Around the walls of the church were the old-fashioned square pews. 
In the old meeting-house there was no heating apparatus, but the 
people tried to keep warm by the aid of foot-stoves and fire-boxes. 



OLD TIME -CUSTOMS 207 

As the other churches were built, large stoves were put in with 
long pipes running the length of the church. This kept the air 
about the heads warm, but extra provision had to be made for the 
feet. Hot bricks, hot stoves and the old fire-boxes were used for 
this purpose. During slave time, and even after New York had 
prohibited slavery, seats for the negroes were set apart in the gal- 
lery. The services were long. After the morning service the peo- 
ple ate their lunch and were ready for the afternoon service, which, 
in winter time, often lasted until after sunset. In the old White 
Church, for many years, the custom prevailed of having the 
psalms lined out. The precentor would read one line and the con- 
gregation, having sung that, were ready for the next. After a while 
some seeker after new things introduced the plan of having two 
lines read and then sung. This innovation caused not a little 
strong opposition, some going so far as to threaten to leave the 
church. 

At the funerals it was customary to provide liquors for the 
guests. A. pitcher of rum or cider, with glasses, was put on a little 
table in a convenient place for any one who wished that form of 
refreshment. One old gentleman was so fearful that this matter 
of etiquette would be omitted, that he left directions in his will that 
two gallons of rum be purchased for his funeral services. 

Of course, in the olden time there were no hearses and the body 
of the dead was carried in a common wagon to the entrance of the 
cemetery where it was removed to a bier and thus carried to the 
grave. 

Many of the customs seem to us very quaint, but they were the 
simple outgrowth of the needs and meagre advantages of the people. 
Nothing seems to have been done for effect, but all because their 
ways were the best that had been suggested to them. Though they 
are queer, they are very charming, and we can but hope that those 
of the years to come, may find, in looking back upon our times, 
as much of interest and of pleasure as we find in thinking of the 
people of long ago. 



2o8 THE SALEM BOOK 



FARM LIFE 
* 

The fruit of the ground is essential to the existence of all creat- 
ures who walk the earth, or fly in the air, and this necessity has led 
to the cultivation of the soil for the purpose of comfort, profit and 
pleasure. But as the common, indispensable things, though being 
the great blessings of our lives, are often looked down upon, as 
mean in comparison with the luxuries, that denote ease and 
opulence, so, in these days, the life of the cultivator of the farm 
is often thought of as menial, when contrasted with the supposed 
leisurely indolence of the professional and mercantile man. But 
in the early days, he who was mighty to fell big trees and to culti- 
vate large fields had no ignoble calling, and our forefathers had 
only words of commendation for the successful farmer. 

We will make a little note of one such man, and his descendants 
(together with facts or incidents, that came under their observa- 
tion), who left home and country in the time of persecution, and 
making slow progress, floated hither and thither on an unknown 
sea, for seventeen weeks before reaching America. Food and 
water had been so long doled out with economical hand that the 
first cracker or sea biscuit eaten in the new land flew from their 
lips like flour before the wind. 

Money, they had none, but strong muscles and willing hands 
earned sufficient in two years to warrant the removal of the family 
from their first stopping place in Pennsylvania to our present town 
of Salem. Trials on the journey were numerous. They came up 
the Hudson in a sloop, and all on board were in a suffering condi- 
tion when they reached Albany. There they were received by stran- 
gers, who entertained them hospitably and sent them on their way 
rejoicing, a kindness which they ever gratefully remembered. The 
city of Troy could boast of but five houses then, though Lansing- 
burg contained many more. Our travelers pushed on through the 
wilderness on horseback, not finding any land that was satisfactory 
until this town was reached. Then the rude hut, in the form of a 



FARM LIFE 209 

dugout, was constructed. The boards used for the purpose were 
carried on the back of the owner nearly a mile. After three years 
the hut was replaced by a fine log cabin that withstood the ravages 
of time and tempest until a very recent date. The work of clearing 
the wilderness had commenced and it was gradually transformed 
into fruitful field, meadow and garden. The life of the family dur- 
ing these years was attended with many hardships, as well as a 
mingling of fun with adventures. A few of these incidents have 
been caught in the web of memory and have floated down to us 
through two generations. We wish the web had been larger and 
stronger and a greater number of facts had been secured, then we 
could more clearly go back and become dwellers in the long ago. 
Children came to gladden the hearts of this couple and to make 
the hills resound with their gleeful voices. In winter they walked 
two or three miles to school to learn all the schoolmaster could 
teach of the sciences embraced in the three R's. In summer the 
farm gave ample employment to both girls and boys. The girls 
milked the cows, helped make the butter and cheese, assisted in put- 
ting the seed into the ground in the spring and in securing the 
crops in the harvest time, as well as helping in the daily prepara- 
tions for the frugal meals. And as soon as they were old enough 
the daughter trotted back and forth at the big wheel, converting the 
long wool rolls into smooth yarn, ready for weaving into cloth or 
for knitting stockings. When older and more skillful grown, she 
sat at the little wheel, literally fulfilling the description of the Wise 
man, " She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the 
distaff." The mother made ready the wool for spinning and hatch- 
eled the flax and hemp and kept the shuttle flying to weave the 
cloth for clothing for the family and an abundant store of bedding 
and table linen. She was ever the teacher of her daughters in the 
several departments of housekeeping, and early in their childhood — 
somewhere between the ages of five and eight years — they were 
appointed daily tasks at knitting and sewing. 

While these homely duties of the household were going on, the 
father and sons were busy in forest and field, performing the 
heavier duties of the farm. During the long winter evenings, when 
the family gathered around the kitchen fire and watched the flames 
that rose from the huge, piled-up, hissing logs, that brightened all 
the room, they recounted the weird, old stories that have come 



2io THE SALEM BOOK 

down to us of ghosts and headless riders that scoured the country 
round, to alarm the belated traveler or venturesome swain, who 
roved abroad at midnight. On Sabbath evenings the Shorter 
Catechism replaced the goblin tales. From the father's lips, round 
and round the questions went, while the ready answers came. One 
son, I w r ell remember, could begin with " what is the chief end of 
man?" and giving questions and answers in correct order, with- 
out the book, would only stop with the answer to the final question. 
Hilarity as well as solemnity entered into their lives. Parties for 
husking, quilting and apple paring brought the young people 
together. Often there was more dancing than working, and the 
lover, dressed in homespun, found an opportunity to whisper the 
sweet story into the listening maiden's ear, and in many a case with the 
desired effect, as was proven by the marriage of the elder Joshua 
Steele in the clean, new barn that was sufficiently large to accom- 
modate the young people who gathered from all the country 
around to witness the ceremony. 

It was a great event when the Doctor, good pastor of the parish 
came. The decanter and the foot-glass were brought out as an 
expression of hospitality after the urchins and parents as well had 
been ranged in a row and catechised. If the frightened youngsters 
had lost memory as well as wits the Doctor would sometimes say: 
" My John can answer all these little questions." One day John was 
brought with his father to show how well he could speak up before 
his elders, but, poor John standing at the head of his class to show 
his proficiency, was as frightened as the others and could say 
nothing. After being asked several questions without a satisfac- 
tory result, the doctor said: " John, do you know anything? " " No, 
sir." " Then sit down." That was a great triumph for the children 
of the family, and remained green in their memory to be related to 
the next generation. 

It might not be amiss to relate a little incident to show how 
integrity of character was taught in this home. A man, employed 
as helper on the farm, having completed his time of service, left 
for his home, which was many miles away. Soon after his depart- 
ure, a bill representing quite an amount was missing, but no one 
suspected it had been other than lost — probably dropped 
unobserved on the hearth, and swept into the fire. After being gone 
a year or more the man returned and sought audience with the head 



FARM LIFE 211 

of the house to whom he related this story: By accident the bill 
had been dropped in his presence, and, unobserved, he had taken it, 
but he had never been able to put it to use and had come to restore 
it to its owner. After that no kindness was too great to show him — 
no amount of attention too much to bestow upon him, much to 
the amazement of the family. When he departed he was entreated 
to come again at no distant day. Later the story was rehearsed and 
great commendation given to one who, having repented of his fault, 
had humbly made restitution. Henceforth that man was an hon- 
ored, annual visitor. One other event might be mentioned, going 
to show that crime was abroad even then. The parents had met 
losses by having money, loaned by them, returned in worthless 
Continental bills. Ever after they would have nothing to do with 
paper money, but hoarded all unneeded gold and silver. A woman's 
stocking, filled to the ankle with gold pieces and silver coin, had 
been dropped in a box, until there was in weight as much as a per- 
son could lift. These were kept in a locked chest that stood by the 
head of the owner's bed. One night, in the year 1814, when all the 
men of the house were away, save one, who worked on the farm 
and slept in the loft, the house was entered and the treasure stolen. 
No noise disturbed the household, but when the younger members 
rose in the morning they saw what had been done and that the occu- 
pant of the bed-room, now a grandmother, was lying very still, 
with her head covered and two heavy clubs placed near. They 
dared not touch the bedding, but called for Joe to uncover the 
head, while they stood around with white faces. The moment the 
clothes were removed, the sleeper woke, and observing the state 
of things jumped from her bed and ran out doors screaming: 
" We're robbed, we're robbed." No definite clue could be obtained 
to identify the thief and the property was never recovered nor could 
its whereabouts ever be ascertained, though fortune tellers pointed 
out several different spots where it was supposed to have been 
buried and parties came from a distance, at various times, and 
labored with hoe and spade to unearth the shining gold. Whether 
it was wasted by the robber in riotous living, in other parts, or 
for fear of detection emboweled in the earth, has always remained 
a mystery. 

I have often seen a little wheel, used for spinning flax, that was 
given to the wife of a member of a younger generation of this 



212 THE SALEM BOOK 

family, but as the good mother was careful that bureau and closet 
should be well filled for her daughter, there was no immediate use 
for the wheel. It was borrowed by an aunt, who had several daugh- 
ters and who continued in the manufacture of cloth long after her 
neighbors resorted to that new innovation — the factory. The wheel 
was kept purring for many years, but was finally doomed to a dark 
corner of the garret, as daughter after daughter had passed away, 
and the hand of the borrower, feeble with age, had lost its strength 
and cunning. For years the wheel gathered dust and cobwebs, 
until, being in the way, it was restored to the family of the owner, 
after forty-six years. She who owned it had paid the penalty 
of nature many years before. 

These tales I tell of plain, country folk. Their ways and occupa- 
tions may seem unworthy to be recorded by one gifted in the lore 
of modern days, but the simple, out-door life gave strong, healthy 
bodies, and the hardships they endured in wresting a livelihood 
from mother earth, under untoward circumstances, gave them 
decision of character, that we, their descendants, delight to honor. 

" So the multitude goes, like the flowers or the weed 
That withers away to let others succeed ; 
vSo the multitude comes, even those we behold, 
To repeat every tale that has often been told. 

For we are the same our fathers have been ; 
We see the same sights our fathers have seen — 
We drink the same stream and view the same sun, 
And run the same course our fathers have run. 

The thoughts we are thinking our fathers would think, 
From the death we are shrinking our fathers would shrink, 
To the life we are clinging they also would cling ; 
But it speeds for us all like a bird on the wing. 

They loved, but the story we cannot unfold ; 
They scorned, but the heart of the haughty is cold ; 
They grieved, but no wail from their slumbers will come ; 
They joyed, but the tongue of their gladness is dumb. 

They died, aye ; they died ; and we things that are now, 
That walk in the turf that lies over their brow. 
Who make in their dwellings a transient abode, 
Meet the things that they met on their pilgrimage road. 



FARM LIFE 213 



Yea ! hope and despondency, pleasure and pain, 
We mingle together in sunshine and rain ; 
And the smiles and the tears, the song and the dirge, 
Still follow each other, like surge upon surge. 

'Tis the wink of an eye, 'tis the draught of a breath ; 
From the blossom of health to the paleness of death, 
From the gilded saloon to the bier and the shroud — 
Oh, why should the spirit of mortal be proud." 



2i 4 THE SALEM BOOK 



FISHING 



First, let us speak of White creek, which, we all know and love, 
with its clear sparkling water and shaded banks — how it flows 
smoothly and quietly on, day after day — " a thing of beauty and a 
joy forever." 

We wonder where it came from and should we follow up the 
stream, we would find ourselves in the State of Vermont at the foot 
of the Green mountains. 

The mountain streams overflow each year and kind Dame 
Nature always responds to a call from one of her subjects, so the 
bed of the creek was formed, ages ago no one can tell how, making 
an outlet for the clear, sweet water coming fresh from the numerous 
springs in the mountains. 

White creek is born, and, following the outlet, it flows on and 
on, through fields and by roadsides, nature making the banks 
attractive with beautiful willow trees with their graceful branches 
of lovely green, and other shrubs and flowers overhanging. 

We might follow the stream winding in and out through fragrant 
meadows and shaded roadsides and find that it joins another, called 
by contrast, Black creek, as the darker water indicates, and with 
united force they flow on to Battenkill, widening all the way, but 
still in our beautiful valley. 

We think that in our village, White creek is more attractive than 
in any other part of the valley, and here the Indians found it many 
years ago on the way to their hunting grounds in the north, passing 
through this part of the country. They found the water so clear 
and pure they called it the " Osoma " or " Sparkling Water," and 
in it they were the first to discover the beautiful fish shining so 
white in the water and glistening in the sun as they glide in and out 
among the white stones. It is no wonder that the trout selected this 
beautiful stream for their home, and since they had been for years 
undisturbed, no doubt they were grown to a large size. 



FISHING 215 

What a feast for the Indians! No wonder they lingered here. 
We can imagine our village, with its surrounding natural beauty, 
the distant mountains, the nearer hills — quiet and peaceful, save the 
murmur of White creek flowing on and on, the Indians camping on 
its banks. How picturesque it must have been with the wigwams 
and the men and women scattered about in their bright colored 
dress. 

Imagine also the disturbance among the trout in the stream as 
they were cruelly taken out of the water by these great beings, by 
them never seen before. That was their first introduction to the 
hook or line or other contrivance that the Indians used. 

We may be sure these dainty little fish were as toothsome to the 
Red Men as we have found them to be later, and that they spent 
some time in our valley, always being sure of a good meal for they 
could find the fish the whole length of the stream. Later on many 
farmers who were among the. colony, who came from the north of 
Ireland to our valley, selected homes near the stream as they found 
the soil exceedingly rich and that the hills also could be 
cultivated. 

Again our trout were disturbed by these farmers who found 
them and took them from the stream. They were not easy to catch 
and sometimes they would refuse the tempting worm fastened to 
a pin by the small boy on earth at that time. What would he think 
now should he see the paraphernalia in use by the lovers of the 
sport. The numerous rods and reels, the book of flies and the fancy 
fishing tackle, every and anything to tempt the gamey little trout. 

However do the fine looking fish baskets substituted for the old 
tin pails come home from the trip any better filled as the result of the 
day's fishing, than when in the years long ago the farmer's lad took 
the line and the one hook, the joint property of the whole family, 
and went out for the day's fishing. A long string of the spotted 
beauties were his reward, carried proudly in sight, while the fisher- 
man of to-day carefully guards his closed basket leaving imagina- 
tion to do the rest, when one asks of the result. 

Yes, the beautiful trout have always lived in White creek and 
here they still live. We find, on looking over old records on file 
in the first newspaper printed here, that it became necessary to pre- 
serve the trout and a prompt action saved them for the sportsman 
of to-day. 



216 THE SALEM BOOK 

Mr. Nelson Cheney, the State Fish Culturist, has been consulted 
and he kindly submits the following facts found in the State library: 

" An act for the preservation of trout : in certain waters in the County of 
Washington in the State of New York, was passed in the year eighteen 
hundred and nineteen, March 26th, reading as follows : 

Section first : Be it enacted by the people of the State of New York, repre- 
sented in the Senate and Assembly, that from and after the passing of the act, 
it shall not be lawful for any person or persons to take or catch any trout in 
the Battenkill or any of its tributary streams in the said county of Washington 
by any other means than hook or line. 

Section second : That any person or persons shall take any trout in any of 
said waters contrary to the provisions of the preceding section of the act, he 
or they shall for each and every offense forfeit the sum of Twenty-five Dollars, 
to be sued for and recovered by any person who will prosecute for the same in 
action of debt in his own name with costs of such in any court having cog- 
nizance thereof, one half when recovered to be paid to the overseer of the 
town in which forfeiture shall be recovered, and the other half to be for the 
use and benefit of the person who shall prosecute for and recover the same." 

The waters named in Washington county are the first for which 
a special act for protection was passed in New York State to save 
trout from netting, and it is an honor to Washington county. The 
State had had protection of some sort or other since the Colonial 
laws of 1 77 1. 

In 1819, when the act was passed, Salem was recognized as hav- 
ing streams filled with trout and many enjoyed the sport. The 
renowned Doctor Bethune, who was a son-in-law of Col. Williams, 
was very fond of fishing as we find in the " Memoirs of George W. 
Bethune." Doctor Prime, of the "Observer," writes: "I asked 
Dr. Bethune where he, city born and bred, acquired his taste and 
skill for fishing. He said when a boy at the academy in Salem, 
Washington county, New York, he fell in with a man called " Fisher 
Billy," who gave him lessons and showed him how. " Fisher Billy" 
was often in debt and obliged to go to Salem on the limits and the 
limits included a fine trout stream. 

The preservation of trout is largely due to an act passed later 
prohibiting fishing at certain times of the year, also to the frequent 
stocking of White creek with young trout by public-spirited fisher- 
men. In another old newspaper on file in the library we find " that 
young trout were put in White creek in the year 1876," and we learn 
that each year following to the present time the stream has been 
stocked increasing the number put in. 



FISHING 217 

We know that Salem had at one time a large and flourishing 
fishing club, known as the " Izaak Walton Club," of which 
Mr. Charles Whitcomb was the president. We had hoped to glean 
interesting facts from the old records, but find that they have been 
destroyed. However, if not a " Walton Club " at present, there is 
one called " Company W," which is very near it. Of this club we 
know that it is not large, but flourishing; that it has four members, 
all four " W's," and that they fish, yes, that they enjoy it. Their 
record cannot be beaten, as many friends can testify who have 
enjoyed the fish that they have captured. 

This club also owns a staunch, little steamer, called " Company 
W," which is launched on Lake Cossayuna, about twelve miles 
from Salem, where they enjoy fine bass fishing later in the season. 
We imagine that if Walton could visit the " shop " and sundry 
places where this select club meet from time to time and have a look 
at the fishing tackle and hear the learned discussions, he would 
exclaim: "These are W's after my own heart." Another club in 
Salem is known as the "Paradise Hall Club." When we approached 
the supposed president for an interview in regard to this club, 
Mr. Moses Johnson, he remarked that he guessed "Albert" was 
the president, meaning Mr. Albert Broughton, and upon appealing 
to Mr. Broughton, he said : " Oh, Mose is, I guess." 

However, we did learn that this club would testify that for solid 
good fishing times they were ahead. Over at Cossayuna Lake 
they have a cottage known as Paradise Hall, furnished with every 
luxury. Here they stay two weeks or more every summer. Doctor 
Cotton and Mr. Wm. L. Campbell are also members of this club 
and Mr. W. D. Watt, formerly of Salem. We could not find the 
records of the number of fish caught or the general weight thereof; 
however, the people who have tried to fish after this club have been 
over the lake feel sure there were none left to be caught. 

There is one lover of sport who has a record in fishing and who 
is always the first one to go up White creek as early as the law 

allows. 

" No one ever knows 
Where Austin Baker goes." 

He is very quiet on the subject, but no one has a better filled 
basket than his when he returns. He may not have as many gor- 
geous flies made in this country and upon the other side of the 
15 



218 THE SALEM BOOK 

ocean as the " W's " have, but he knows how to catch the speckled 
beauties and where to find them, but this he keeps to himself. 
Good sportsmen are often very quiet on this subject. 

We are proud of our village and its beautiful surroundings, but 
how much would we miss the wonderful white stream that flows 
through at its own will. No one can cross the bridge without being 
impressed by the beauty of its clear, silver water and the white peb- 
bles glistening in the sunlight like jewels. The beautiful shaded 
banks with drooping willows and low shrubs casting shadows in 
quiet spots, where every fisherman watches for the trout which can 
often be seen, so clear is the water. 

Later in the season the stream is visited by many trout who come 
here to spawn and very large ones have been seen at that time. 

A day spent wandering the length of our beautiful White creek, 
with a lovely view on all sides, the sound of the gentle flow of the 
water, the song of the bird, the gleam of the sunshine, the shadows 
of overhanging branches, the beautiful reflection; all these appeal 
to the fisherman with the love of nature born with the love of the 
sport. The wonderful quietness as he is waiting for the poor little 
fish to bite gives time for thought, and with nature before him the 
thought can only be beautiful. 

As long as Salem has been known, so long have the trout been 
know : n to live in White creek, and it is worthy of notice that the 
first reference to Salem in the records of New York is as " a little 
village through which there flows a wonderful stream abounding 
with beautiful trout." 



HOLIDAYS 219 



HOLIDAYS 



The people of Salem indulged in very few holidays. Being mostly 
Presbyterians of rather an ultra type, they had no saint's days to 
observe. Christmas was seldom mentioned and New Year's day 
was so slightly esteemed that it was quite an event for children to 
be invited to spend the day at the house of some friend or to have 
them at their own home. 

Election days, both general and local, were never neglected. 
Political antagonism ran quite as high in former years as it does 
now. Families were divided, father against son and brother against 
brother, so that on the day when the result of their strenuous efforts 
was to be decided, few of our sturdy farmers found anything suffi- 
ciently important at home to prevent them from spending the day 
near the place where the voting was being done. 

There were one or two other days in the year which, by common 
consent, were always observed as public holidays. The Fourth 
of July, as now, was never forgotten. Great preparation was made 
to celebrate the day with striking display. There was one feature 
in the procession in former times which seems to have been omitted 
in later years. A part of the procession consisted of a company of 
young ladies, representing the different States of the Union, 
dressed with special reference to the occasion, and, certainly worthy 
to become the observed of all observers. It should not be forgot- 
ten that the success of this part of the display was in a great meas- 
ure due to the public spirt and exquisite taste of the late Mrs. Har- 
vey, who, even in her old age, took charge of the dressing and 
decoration of these lovely republican representatives, and it was 
often remarked that " when Mrs. Harvey was gone there could be no 
more such celebrations." This great memorial of the birth of our 
nation is still observed as the peculiar holiday of our country; and 
may the day never come when it shall cease to be observed by the 
successors of our patriot fathers. 



220 THE SALEM BOOK 

Formerly every able-bodied man, between the ages of eighteen 
and forty-five, was obliged to be enrolled in some military organiza- 
tion, unless he was for some score legally exempted. In every 
town, therefore, there was at least one organized military com- 
pany. A certain number of companies were united in a regiment 
and a given number of regiments formed a brigade. All these 
bodies of men had their stated times for coming together and dis- 
playing their proficiency in military matters and winning the 
approbation of their fellow-citizens. This gave rise to another 
holiday which no boy of those days can ever forget. The village of 
Salem was provided with about the most convenient ground for 
such a parade to be found in any place in this vicinity, and so the 
youngsters of the place were usually favored with the opportunity 
to witness these eagerly anticipated displays. The space of ground 
extending from the house now occupied by Mr. W. C. Larmon to 
the Academy and an indefinite distance north, although it is now 
covered with streets, houses and railroad tracks, was at that time 
one broad, level meadow, and in the fall after the hay had been 
taken off, afforded an ideal spot for the assembling of bodies of men 
for any purpose. To this favored field, on the appointed day, after 
a sufficient amount of marching and counter-marching, to prop- 
erly form the line, the whole body of citizen soldiers were led for 
the purpose of inspection and instruction in the art and mastery of 
military tactics, and there also we boys hastened in order to feast 
our eyes upon the display of gold lace, glittering arms and nod- 
ding plumes and to witness, with wonder and admiration, the series 
of impossible evolutions attempted at the word of the commanding 
officer. But we were not confined to the fields for our source of 
enjoyment; the streets also furnished us with many objects of inter- 
est; there we found traveling merchants who displayed their stores 
of brass rings, gilt jewelry and other articles that tempt the childish 
fancy, as well as various eatables and drinkables, such as we seldom 
found at home. But the children were not left alone to monopo- 
lize the pleasures of the occasion. Men of all classes took advantage 
of this day to meet their friends, and while witnessing the military 
display, discuss various matters of public and private interest. At 
these gatherings the consumption of considerable quantities of stim- 
ulants was the usual order of the day, so that the warlike spirit was 
often more obviously exhibited in the hotels and on the streets than 



HOLIDAYS 221 

upon the parade ground. It was but seldom any serious results 
followed these indulgences. One and only one such sad occurrence 
is now brought to mind. In the evening of one of these gala days, 
somewhere in the early twenties, two young men got into a quarrel 
in one of the hotels, and one of them received a wound which 
resulted in his death and in sending the other to states prison for a 
sufficient number of years to blot out the best part of his life. But 
despite these darker shadows the memory of General Training Day 
is a bright and happy one. But why make a record of things appar- 
ently so unimportatnt? Simply because they are things of the past. 
The children of the present time have not the privilege of witnes- 
sing such military shows, following in the wake of the procession 
and proudly keeping step to the beat of the drum, spending nickels 
or dimes for cakes and root beer and then going home to play the 
mimic soldier and dream of the delights of next General Training 
Day. 

When we try to sum up the benefits resulting from the scenes, 
we have tried to describe, we might reasonably conclude they but 
porly repaid the amount of time and money expended on them, 
and we must admit that the instruction there imparted would bear 
no comparison to that which is found at West Point, but it may 
be well to remember that many a brave officer who laid down his 
life gallantly leading his fellow soldier in defense of his country and 
its institutions, received his first rudiments of military discipline 
and duty in just such an uncouth and uncompromising school as 
this. 



THE SALEM BOOK 



GHOSTS 

" The spirit- world around this world of sense, 
Floats like an atmosphere," 

Writes Longfellow. Not only he but other poets have written of 
the " spirit-world." For instance, Thomas Hood, in "Apparition," 
speaks of a "spirit" visiting a man at the dead of night. Again, 
in one of his other poems, he tells of a ghost appearing to a woman 
by the name of Phoebe " at twelve o'clock at noon 

Because he was a Blackamoor 
And wouldn't show at night." 

In every town there is at least one house which has the reputation 
of being haunted. One of the poets said: 

" All houses wherein men have lived and died 
Are haunted houses." 

The second farm house on the west of the turnpike, as it lies 
north of Salem, boasts of a ghost. The farm was once owned by 
a family named Stevenson. This family consisted of a brother and 
sister. The sister, a single woman, was not well-treated by the 
brother or the rest of the household. Although she owned one- 
half of the land she was not allowed food enough to meet her needs. 
At last she died from over work and want of food. But she was 
not done with earth, for, at night, she would return from her grave 
and walk about her brother's rooms, a loaf of bread clasped tightly 
in her hands and held closely to her breast. None but her brother 
ever beheld this visitor, but many have told of hearing the ceaseless 
treading of her footsteps and her moans as she paced up and doTVn 
the wide rooms. But time and modern improvements must have 
caused her flight for the present occupants of the house have neither 
seen nor heard sighs of the ghostly visitant. 

On the road leading to Evergreen cemetery, in the open field 
just before reaching the residence of the late Samuel Billings, 



GHOSTS 



223 



stood an old weather-beaten house, in which a family named Miner 
lived. This family were of a wild and dissolute character. After 
they left the house weird noises were heard and bright lights were 
easily discerned by passers-by. The house, then, was partially sur- 
rounded by woods, but within the last few years it has been torn 
down, the woods cut away and nothing left but a few of the founda- 
tion stones. 

Along the same road, just about dusk, an old woman riding on 
a tall, thin, white horse, was often seen coming to the village to 
do her marketing. She was called a witch, but as she never did any 
harm, she was unmolested except by her brother who either mur- 
dered her, as some say, or took her away to foreign parts. Not a great 
distance from the Miner house, in a white one-storied cottage, 
lived the Blossoms. Mrs. Blossom or "Auntie" Blossom as she was 
called, was tall and slender with small bead-like eyes that almost 
pierced one through with their brightness. She collected herbs 
and steeped them into numerous concoctions to be used as reme- 
dies for all known diseases. If there was sickness in any family she 
was always on hand with her medicines. This harmelss old woman 
was supposed to be a witch and children, when they saw her, would 
flee as from some pestilence for fear of being seized by her and 
some terrible charm worked upon them. 

On Main street, a short distance from the depot, stood the old 
Dodd house which was haunted. It was a large old-fashioned wood 
colored house, its broad front dotted at regular intervals with many 
windows and its one large door facing the street. The ghosts of 
the departed walked through the rooms at the still hour of mid- 
night, and dim lights were seen in the building which vanished as 
the sun rose over the eastern hills. There are two other houses 
on the same street where 

" Through the open doors 

The harmless phantoms on their errands glide, 

With feet that make no sound upon the floor." 

Between the residence of the late John Cleveland and Clinton 
Wilson, on the left-hand side of the road leading to Rupert, is a 
hill called " No Head Hill," from the fact that a peddler was mur- 
dered there. His head was severed from his body and after that 
for years persons traveling that road by night frequently saw a head- 



224 THE SALEM BOOK 

less ghost. Mrs. H , a woman living near there, says that a 

man came to her house late one night and said that a headless man 
had walked beside his horse and finally ran in front of him and dis- 
appeared in the bushes. Mr. H took a lantern and went over 

the ground, but could find nothing and so concluded that it must 
be the ghost of the murdered man. 

Salem cannot boast of a "Province House," where the ghosts of the 
royal governors assembled nightly for their mid-night revels or of 
the ghosts of beautiful ladies who glided down the broad stair- 
case of that mansion to join the royal personages at the festive 
board. The ghosts described in this chapter are the ghosts of those 
persons who toiled and labored and after they had departed this 
life their restless spirits again visited, in the hush of mid-night, the 
familiar scenes of their suffering. 

This superstition, in regard to ghosts, is as ancient as the world 
and will continue as long as human nature remains the same. Great 
poets have woven ghostly legends into beautiful plays and noted 
writers have made them the subject of thrilling stories; and why 
should not our beautiful " City of Peace " have its record of ghostly 
visitants? "Imagination is the air of mind'' and without it the 
charms and virtues which we dare conceive in youth and " pursue 
as men " would be an " unreached Paradise." 



ROMANCES 225 



ROMANCES 

And shall the " Salem Book " be completed and sent upon its 
mission? Shall we see in our imagination the eager reader at last 
lay down the book with a sigh of satisfaction, but hear them after- 
wards exclaim — " Courage, patriotism, religion — all are good! 
But did no romance enter into their lives? " 

Romance did you say? In an instant every faculty is keenly alert; 
the imagination immediately conjures up all sorts of pictures and all 
are on tiptoe with interest and expectation; the very soul is stirred; 
the heart leaps at the mere mention of the word; bright living 
pictures greet us and invite our inspection; the eye brightens, then 
glistens with the sympathetic tear; the smile comes readily to the 
lip and laughter ripples on the air. Everything gives one great 
harmonic throb of sympathy. Sunsets are more brilliant, birds sing 
sweeter, " nature's children " seem to send out a more subtle frag- 
rance; the leaves are in a flutter of excitement, and even the great 
trunks give a friendly creak. Oh, yes! nature in one great, grand 
symphony expresses her approval of the child romance. 

Were we to enumerate them, give them individual time and space, 
a volume would not contain them and time itself would rebel against 
its use; and, after all, they would be but romantic history repeating 
itself. We cite but one — an exception. Probably no other town in 
the great " Empire State," and possibly none in the United States, 
can boast of any thing so romantic as the celebration of an " old 
maid's " wedding anniversary, with a groom provided for the occa- 
sion and gifts suitable and generous in number. Merrier time was 
never enjoyed; hearts were light, young and old alike entered into 
the spirit of the festivities, and the so-called bride and borrowed 
bridegroom were the observed of all observers. 

There was poetry galore, written by one of Salem's sons. 



226 THE SALEM BOOK 

Ring, bells ! 
A merry jingle, 
The season's here 
Of dear Kriss Kringle. 
Ring, bells ! 
Wedding bells ! 
Miriam's story tell. 

" Some years ago, no matter when, 

Our envied heroine was born. 
She grew and waxed in strength 

And lovely in her mold and form. 
She lived — and loved — who does not love 

One's friends and the good things of life ? 
But, strange, she would not wed, 
The reason is, she loved not strife. 

" To herself she said : 'To wed or not to wed ! ' 

That is a serious matter, 
Whether 'tis better to live in quiet, 

Or always in perpetual clatter. 
She looked at the subject in various ways 

And finally concluded she wouldn't, 
And ever since then of her its been said 

She is certainly remarkably prudent." 

All honor and glory to all the old maids 

Who "go it alone " o'er life's thorny way, 

They can look at The Book and then sweetly say, 

We are safe from you men — we're not bound to obey. 



BRIGHTEST AND DARKEST DAYS 227 



BRIGHTEST AND DARKEST DAYS 

" I have here only made a nosegay of culled flowers, and have brought 
nothing of my own but the thread that ties them together."— MONTAIGNE 

In nature's history it is not the days of cloudless sunlight nor 
the altogether cloudy days of which we may count the greatest 
number. Nor does nature's greatest beauty lie in these; but, rather 
in her days of mingled sunshine and shade. So in searching for 
Salem's darkest and brightest days, we have found that the greater 
number have been bright, with enough of clouds to temper the 
light and to make her sunsets beautiful. 

It must be left to conjecture, whether the two men, who wended 
a weary way hither from Massachusetts, in 1761, would call those 
days bright or dark; but we of to-day, who are proud of Salem's 
being the oldest settlement in the county, call them brightest. Cer- 
tainly they must have numbered the days of 1764, when they brought 
hither their families, and the days of 1765, when they were joined 
by the Scotch settlers, among the bright days. There followed 
prosperous days and prosperous years. The people grew attached 
to this little valley, when it became necessary to fight for the houses 
which they held deai and the liberty which they held dearer. 

The place of worship became the barracks of the patriot forces 
and a fort for defense against Indian and English foemen. During 
these Revolutionary years Salem was much exposed, owing to its 
frontier position, and in the fall of 1777 the people were obliged 
to abandon their homes and their fields, then white for the harvest, 
and seek safety in Massachusetts, for Burgoyne was in Whitehall 
and it was expected that the route of the detachments which were 
to join him would be through this town. But, " behind the cloud 
the sun was still shining," and after Burgoyne's surrender the peo- 
ple returned and " found their tabernacles in peace, having sustained 
no other loss than crops and cattle." No lives were lost in the 
Revolution of those who went from here, though many were in the 
battle of Saratoga and some were long confined in Canadian prisons. 



228 THE SALEM BOOK 

..ith a glimmer of sunlight, the fir m's darkest days was 

ended. 

In 1812 th< 'led again over the little " City of Pea 

and all who were able, answered their country's call, "To Arm 
'J he Rev. Doctor Johnson, to whom the writer is much indebted 
for facts and dati rs hearing his mother tell of how his 

grandfather brought his family to church one Sunday and on the 
met a United States officer ridii '1 him anxiously 

reply, " the »rst" In the 

church he found the motl : nd children ; 

ing over the troublous news, H sent that 

dark day. The to be unable to finish 

g: "I cannol 1 thinking 

the ones that have left us." 
We cannot say of this r ; did of the Revolution, that not 

a lif< ' But, though Salem lost : her noble sons, 

she had her martyrs dead, and with a ray of light at sunset another 
'em's dark"-t. days was ended. 
The Northern Post, of ronicles the burning of 

Washington Academy, the founding and opening of which had 
marked a brightest day in Salem's calendar. This fire robbed them 
of the . ting of three hundred choice 

volumes and of many maps. A loss that we, in this day when " of 
making many boo no end," can;. ure or appreciate. 

'lie- sail • . in an issue of June of the same year, tells of a 

rift in thi loud in the following wor< 

" Legi latui um to relieve them from the loss, 

and a con : ,: ' n I l< urn ; i by subscription, the trus- 

Ination t themselves worthy of this con- 

fidence and liberality and lay the foundation of a more spacious, more 
durable and more elegant building of brick." 
The new building was ready for occupancy in Januai fol- 

ng yar. and this dark day in Salem's calendar had ended in a 
beautiful glow of sunlight. 

It would not be a faithful record of lays that 

would omit to record the flood of spiritual sunlight which shone in 
1824. A stranger passing the Sabbath in : a desire 

to occupy the pulpit of the " Brick Church." So wonderful a 
mon did he preach that al tor asked him to tell the 



BRIGHTEST AND DARKEST DAYS 229 

people he would preach again in the evening. The people assem- 
bled in large numbers to listen. Monday morning the stranger 
went his way. No one knew from whence he came or whither he 
went, not even his name is known, but the good he did, who shall 
measure it? As a result of this strange event there united with the 
" Hrick Church' 1 one hundred and seventy-five persons, and with the 
" White Church " one hundred and twenty-five. All came together 
on July Sabbath. A day worthy, indeed, to be called brightest. 

Not again until 1840 did a cloud dense enough to render any day 
very dark gather over the peaceful vale. In September and Octo- 
ber of that year two great fires laid almost the entire village in ashes 
and the people were homeless and suffering. So few were there 
who had escaped without loss that for the first and only time in 
Salem's history contributions had to be asked from surrounding 
villages and towns for a relief fund. So dark and dreary a day was 
this, that the people needed oft to rest upon the promise " that at 
evening time it shall be light." 

A paper printed in February, 1852, contains a notice reading, in 
part, as follows: 

"All aboard that's going. On Wednesday, the twenty-fifth, an 
excursion will be run over this road, and on the twenty-seventh the 
trains will begin to run regularly." This notice marked the reali- 
zation of a great dream, an event hoped for and longed for through 
months past. When the eventful day came — it had been postponed 
until March third — it was a gala day. All Salem was in a state of 
excitement. Those who were not going, as well as those who were, 
gathered in eager, excited, joyous groups at the station, many to 
see a railway train for the first time. Can you imagine the almost 
breathless surprise and interest as that train stopped, received the 
passengers, then glided away on its journey? you, who are so accus- 
tomed to the daily comings and goings that you do not even hear 
the shrieking whistles and ringing bells that mark the same. That 
day meant much to Salem as she looked forward to the future and 
holds a place among the brightest in her calendar. 

Those familiar with the history of the United States need not to 
be told of the gathering clouds of '60 and '61. Late in the summer 
of '62 the husbands, fathers and sons from this and other towns 
were encamped here, ready to start for the fields of duty. The 
people came from all the country round to do them honor and wish 



23o THE SALEM BOOK 

them God speed. Not with sighing and weeping, but with feasting 
and cheering did they bid the " boys in blue " farewell. Tears — but 
the smiles shone brightly through them. Breaking hearts — but the 
hearty — " Go 'tis your country calls " — hid them. Salem's bright- 
est dark day was o'er and the waiting days begun. 

In 1865 the people rejoiced. The war was over; the soldiers were 
coming home. They came not as they went, but with empty sleeve 
and broken health, worn with the weary marching and fighting, and 
some — came not at all. Salem received them tenderly, lovingly, 
rejoicing in her soldiers brave, and her darkest bright day was 
ended. 

Since then no day has been very dark nor has any day been of 
dazzling brightness. All Easters are bright days, even though the 
clouds be weeping. Within the churches the flowers are blooming, 
the songs of praise are rising and the clouds without, may be easily 
forgotten. 

The Harvest Home Festivals, held in the month of September 
for several years, were seasons of rejoicing never to be forgotten by 
those who were privileged to participate in them. 

Like wisdom's, her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her 
paths are peace. 





f 1 1 1 II 

I I 1 1 1 1 

g SSI? i 




<ffle 0& Jffa* <3Alcl /<ft/. 



VIGNETTES OF SALEM LIFE 231 



VIGNETTES OF SALEM LIFE 

THE GRAY MAN— A FRAGMENT 
Scene I 

Place — A large old-fashioned hall, lighted dimly by a lamp with 
a bell-glass shade hanging from the ceiling. 

Persons — A company of young people seated, some in the hall, 
some in an adjoining parlor, where flickers an open wood fire 
almost burned out 

Time — Late in the fall of i860. 

H. (excitedly, with a suppressed scream) — " Who was that? 
There is a strange man in the house! He must be a burglar! " 

R.— " What did he look like? " 

H. — "A tall man, all gray, face, clothes, everything. But where 
has he gone? He stood in that door and then disappeared." 

R. — " Let us go after him ; he cannot have gone out of the house ; 
he must be up-stairs." 

All — "We will go together and hunt him." 

They arm themselves with various weapons — shovel, tongs, etc., 
but no pistols, and search the house, through the hall, up in the 
garret, looking behind doors, into closets, but find nothing and 
nobody. 

Scene II 

Several years later. 

Place — The attic, by a low window, a handsome elderly man and 
a lady, eagerly bending over a hair-trunk studded with brass nails. 

Mr. H. — "These are of inestimable value and should be most care- 
fully preserved. Look at this autograph — Ethan Allen's! See this, 
of Gov. Clinton! Listen to this by Aaron Burr! And here are 
letters from Gen. Williams to his son. Hark! this one is equal to 
any of Chesterfield's." 



232 THE SALEM BOOK 

H. (starting to her feet) — " Hush, who was that? Look around 
that corner — that man — all in gray! He winked at me! " (She gazes 
wildly about and rushes down stairs, dropping letters all the way.) 

Mr. H. — " I will investigate." (He rises carefully, examines every 
nook and corner, then returns calmly to the papers, fully assured 
that no human being was there, save those two.) 

Scene III 

A company of people around a supper table; one guest, the 
family physician. 

Dr. A. — "Why are you looking so pale, Miss H?" 

H. (with a sigh) — "I just had a glimpse of the gray man! He 
peeped in at the door, now he has gone! " 

Dr. A. (rising) — " That is odd; I thought I had a glimpse of some 
one, but not substantial enough to be a real person." (He goes into 
the hall, searches the parlor, returns saying) : " There is no one 
visible." 

Scene IV 

Place — A dinner table. H. at one end, occupying the seat of the 
absent head of the house. Others present, to the number of four 
or five. | 

H. (with a frightened expression, pressing her hand to her head) — 
"Oh!" 

Chorus from all — " What is the matter? '' 

H. — " He struck me — right on the head ! " 

All—" Who? " " What do you mean? " 

H. — "The gray man! He came in, walked up to me, hit me on 
the side of the head — like that — and vanished ! " 

Scene V 

Place — The same hall described in first scene, but differently 
arranged; the "soap bubble" lamp gone from the ceiling; a tall 
clock now ticking in a corner; the portrait of a gentleman on the 
wall facing that of a baby sitting on the grass, with chubby forefin- 
ger pointing to a bird in her other hand. 

Time — The summer of 1895; broad daylight. 

H. (enters, flings herself on the sofa with an old book. Her sister, 
sitting not far away, sees her start up with a startled look on her 
countenance). 



VIGNETTES OF SALEM LIFE 233 

F. — "What is the matter? How strange you look?" 

H. — " There's the gray man ! I saw him ! It is a long, long 
while since he has appeared, and I never knew him to go into that 
room before." 

F. — "What does he look like, really?" 

H. — " His face is exactly like that portrait of our great grand- 
father." 

II 
COMMENCEMENT 

One March day about fifteen years ago, seven little maidens 
appeared on the stage in old Washington Academy Hall to bid a 
public farewell to Salem school life. They were the first ones who 
had graduated since long ago, and many were the comments made. 
Nearly every one was interested, and all were there to cheer and 
encourage these girls by their presence. 

Then, as now, the boys were conspicuous by their absence from 
the stage on Commencement Day. This is probably not due to 
their inferior intelligence, although it has never been accounted for 
in any other way. 

The exercises gave so much pleasure that, instead of giving them 
up, they concluded to try again, and so they have been continued 
until the present time, though the date has been several times 
changed. 

In 1882 the class graduated on the first day of April. They were 
called " The April Fools," but they proved to every one that they 
were not fools. They were not satisfied with going on the stage 
and reading their essays; they must have a reception for their 
friends in the evening. They had some trouble to induce their pro- 
fessor to allow them to have it, for he considered it a waste of time, 
but all the wiles of coaxing were brought to bear on the subject, 
and he finally consented. Perhaps it differed somewhat from the 
reception of '95, but there is no doubt it was just as heartily enjoyed. 

A few years later the time was changed to June, and now on a 
warm afternoon in the month of roses the class graduate in Proud- 
fit Hall — Academy Hall not being large enough to hold all who 
crowd to hear them. 

Of late years the class, with a few chosen friends, spend a day at 
one of the lakes in the vicinity. This is a day of enjoyment for 
16 



234 THE SALEM BOOK 

every one fortunate enough to be included in the number, and 
" Class Day " is always a pleasant memory to the graduates from 
the academy. 

So the years go by, each bringing some changes with it, but the 
Commencement exercises at old S. W. A., with its accompanying 
festivities, have become an established custom, and it is to be 
hoped will long be numbered among the pleasing social events 
which the people of Salem enjoy. 

Ill 
A GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT 

With memory's eye we are looking into the interior of the Episco- 
pal church, brilliant with light, decorated with flowers, among which 
fairy Michaelmas daisies are prominent. It is a holy day, and the 
church presents a festive appearance. Before the chancel rail the 
candidates for confirmation are standing, the bishop advancing 
towards them in his stately robes; but why is there no rector to 
present them? The tone of the bishop is solemn and tender, as he 
informs them; and there is an added impressiveness in his full rich 
voice, as he prays for each " that he may increase in Thy Holy Spirit 
more and more until he come into Thy everlasting kingdom." 

Now, turn with us to another scene, that same evening, a room 
in a private dwelling, where an old man lies dying; his breath 
comes in gasps, his face is drawn with agonizing pain, but in spite 
of acute physical distress, there is on that face a look of peace. The 
bishop is there, physicians and friends, but the last hour draws 
near. As midnight approaches, all kneel, for the Communion is to 
be administered. Some leave the room, shut out by their own will 
from that " most comfortable Sacrament of the Body and Blood 
of the Lord." There remains one — a Presbyterian elder, besides 
the family of the departing saint. What depth of meaning in the 
words which tremble on the air! "We beseech Thee that whenso- 
ever his soul shall depart from his body, it may be without spot 
presented to Thee." They are scarcely uttered before the spirit 
takes its flight, and the features settle into majestic repose, grand 
in death, recalling even more than when in life, those of the ven- 
erable father of his country. 

How sudden the event! but a few hours ago the rector was mak- 



VIGNETTES OF SALEM LIFE 235 

ing arrangements to receive his bishop, and was giving the final 
instructions to his confirmation class. Yet, was it not Providential 
that he should have been summoned to heaven at that very time, 
when there was within reach one who could thus administer to him 
the rites of the church? 

" Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord * * * that they 
may rest from their labors." 

" Blessed are those servants whom the Lord when He cometh 
shall find watching." 

IV 

WHY? 

A clear cold morning the first of March ; the sky a glorious, cloud- 
less blue, the mercury at zero. In all the congregations of the vil- 
lage the Lord's Supper was to be observed. Preparatory services 
had been held, more than usual interest had been evinced, and many 
were looking forward to taking their places for the first time at the 
holy feast. The bells for ten o'clock sounded but did not cease; 
one, a deeper tone than all the rest, tolled on and on, till wonder, 
then alarm, was roused. A column of smoke was seen ascending 
into the wintry sky, a glare of flame burst forth. Instead of gather- 
ing in their places of worship, the mulitudes hastened to the scene 
of disaster — the Methodist church. Instead of officiating each in 
his pulpit, the ministers rushed to the rescue of the doomed edifice, 
but too late; the fire curled around the organ, rushed up the tall 
spire, the bell came crashing down. The awe-stricken crowd, with 
prayers in their hearts which they could not kneel to say in their 
accustomed places, went sorrowfully home. Why was it? That is 
one of those unanswerable questions which will ever come echoing 
back— "Why?" 

V 

" MY WAYS NOT THY WAYS " 

Prayer meeting evening in the month of February; a little com- 
pany assembled in the " upper room ; " lights burning brightly there, 
but from a door in the gallery can be seen the church, dark, empty, 
silent. Then low tones and muffled tread are heard, as through the 
portal of the sanctuary is borne a coffined form, followed by a train 
of mourners, along the aisle, to the study behind the pulpit. A 



236 THE SALEM BOOK 

moment's waiting in the prayer meeting, till the pastor, coming from 
the study, announces the twenty-third Psalm; with faltering voices 
and falling tears are sung the words: 

"Yea, though I walk in death's dark vale 
Yet will I fear no ill." 

The musician's fingers tremble as she touches the keys of the 
organ, remembering how the white hands, now quietly clasped in 
the room below, had often awaked that melody. Prayer is offered 
for the bereaved, thanks for the one " departed in the faith and fear 
of the Lord," and the congregation pass reverently out. 

Through the hours of midnight and early dawn the child of the 
church rested among the flowers — safe, so safe; no more pain, no 
more anxiety for her; a bower of pink it looked where she lay 
"asleep in Jesus." 

In the morning they lifted her tenderly into the church where 
her fathers had worshipped, where she had confessed her Saviour, 
and received the seal of God on her forehead; where she had led in 
praise with her glorious voice. Her young companions stole to 
gaze on the statue-like face; the schoolmates who had accompanied 
her on the last journey to her old home, stood by, too awed to 
weep. Upon the casket reposed a pathetic token from a far dis- 
tance — a cluster of lillies as fair as the calm, dead countenance. 
" Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." 

VI 

" GATHER UP THE FRAGMENTS " 
The photograph on the preceding page is in some sort like a har- 
vest field after the grain has been garnered; it affords a chance for 
gleaners to secure here and there enough to form one more sheaf. 

It was taken 28th of August, 1867, the morning after the centen- 
nial celebration of the " White Church," and though many who had 
participated in the three services had left town, a sufficient number 
of persons — Salemites or strangers — are standing there to serve 
as hints recalling the speakers who roused our souls on that stirring 
occasion. 

For instance, he with patriarchial beard, conversing with the 
people in the carriage, was, the day before, the President for the 
time. With courtly grace, which never deserted him to the very 



VIGNETTES OF SALEM LIFE 237 

end of his life, eighty-six years long, he is lifting his hat to the 
pastor's wife, Mrs. Forsythe. The gentleman driving is Rev. 
James Stevenson, the youngest of the "fifty sons of the church," 
who were mentioned in one of the addresses as having given them- 
selves to the Gospel ministry during the hundred years. Young 
though he was, he has passed from earth, as has also the oldest of 
" the sons " — Rev. Dr. J. M. Matthews, whose discourse had thrilled 
us on the centennial day. 

There had been present many descendants of " our " Dr. Proud- 
fit, five of them preachers; three are in the picture, near the east 
door of the church; the one most easily distinguished is Rev. Wm. 
Irvin, D. D. 

Among the throng we imagine that we catch a glimpse of Rev. 
James B. Cruikshank; we are sure we saw him yesterday within 
the church; he was so entranced with the fervid eloquence of Dr. 
Halley, that he forgot his surroundings, and moved dangerously 
near the edge of the improvised platform; or was it during the 
address of Robert Doig, Esq., that the neighbor who leaned forward 
to arrest his chair from a fall, was met by the surprised inquiry: 
" Did you apprehend a catastrophe, sir? " 

Hark! to the choir singing, without the aid of any instrument, 
an ode by Rev. P. Eugene Stevenson; how well the tones blend! 
how the harmonies of the " human voice divine " swell through the 
crowded edifice! 

" Peal, grateful songs, ten thousand tongues 

Of sons and sires thrice blest ; 
Then, through with strife, the battle of life, 

To their eternal rest ! " 

In the hush that followed, the eye rests on the text along the 
gallery: 

" IN SALEM ALSO IS HIS TABERNACLE." 

The green letters, so evenly cut, were the work of the Episcopal 
clergyman, who kindly donated his time and labor. The people on 
the other side of the building can read: 

"INSTEAD OF THY FATHERS SHALL BE THY CHILDREN." 
And across the front: 

"THE LORD OUR GOD BE WITH US, AS HE WAS WITH OUR 

FATHERS." 



238 THE SALEM BOOK 

As the small boy in one of the side " slips " is relieving his 
drowsiness by spelling out the motto, the choir is again singing; 
this time poetry by Rev. Dr. John B. Steele: 

"O may our altar's fire still guide 

The Pilgrims on their way ; 
Till Salem's sons shall dwell in light 

In heaven's eternal day." 

It cannot be that all is ended and it is after nine o'clock at night. 
Dr. Fitch's history., Dr. John Proudfit's address and that of his son, 
Rev. Alexander Proudfit, Dr. Halley's prayer, the letters from Rev. 
J. D. Wells, Prof. Taylor Lewis, Dr. Forsyth of Newburgh, Dr. 
Robert McMurray, physician, all perused? Yes; Rev. Richard 
Steele is saying: " I bid you and those whom you represent, an 
affectionate farewell." Rev. James C. Forsythe is grasping him by 
the hand, while uttering these words: "As we welcomed our com- 
ing guests, we speed you in parting. * * * May God multiply 
your labors an hundred-fold, and at length receive you all to His 
heavenly home where Farewell is never spoken." 

The audience of twelve hundred flock out of the pews with their 
clanging doors; down the narrow aisles they go; never again will 
ever) r one of them meet in the same place. The glass prisms of the 
chandelier no longer sparkle with rainbow colors in the light. The 
centennial is over, but its influence remains an inspiration ever since, 
and will continue on and on till time shall be no more. 

VII 

ONE LONE STAR 

From this, the end of the nineteenth century, these days of 
women's editions of newspapers, of women's conventions, of 
attempted woman suffrage — we turn back to search the records 
of a hundred years, wondering that, while Salem's sons are so 
prominent in their annals, Salem's daughters find little or no place. 
Is not the solution in the fact of the peculiar, repressive spirit of the 
early settlers? The Scotchman, though he affectionately reverenced 
his mother and cherished his wife, did not care to have her appear 
in public positions; neither did the Scotch lady, young or old, wish 
to figure in such scenes. 



VIGNETTES OF SALEM LIFE 239 

But was her influence less then than now? Witness the tributes 
paid at the centennial of the Washington Academy, to the faithful 
labor of women preceptresses and teachers; note the powerful 
results that their instruction had on the thousands of male pupils 
under their care, who became better ministers, lawyers and business 
men because of the touch of the feminine training - on brain and 
heart. As a young girl remarks : " I am at a loss to conceive what 
that mighty influence will be one hundred years to come." 

There is one exception to what has been before stated; one 
woman, not unknown to fame, was born near Lake Cossayuna, 
the daughter of Peter Dunlap; married in early youth to a mission- 
ary, sailed away to China, and there, for years, she toiled in mission 
work, bringing many souls to Christ. When her husband died, 
Mrs. Culbertson returned to America, and by her unwearied care 
of the sick and poor, earned for herself the name of the " Florence 
Nightingale of Brooklyn." 

She rests from her labors. Peacefully her dust sleeps in the quiet 
home cemetery, while the ashes of her husband repose in distant 
Shanghai. " Their works do follow them." 

Who of Salem's daughters will be the next to take up a like cross 
and win an unfading: laurel wreath such as hers? 



2 4 o THE SALEM BOOK 



PICTURESQUE SALEM 



Everyone who approaches Salem from the south is, I think, 
impresssed by the great beauty of the country after leaving Eagle 
Bridge. The valley is more narrow, the hills higher and more 
raised in shape, the streams swifter, and the scenery wilder, and 
when a sudden turn plunges the traveler into Salem, nestled among 
trees of unusual size and beauty, and surrounded by the verdure- 
crowned hills, one is prepared for the pretty village street which 
unfolds its shaded length running north and south, intersected at 
light angles by other roads — I will not call them streets — bor- 
dered with equally noble trees and pleasant homes. 

With its natural advantages Salem could hardly tail to be attrac- 
tive ; not only does it possess the rolling country which gives oppor- 
tune for many distant views from the neighboring hill tops, while 
the trees are of exceptional age and size, but the mountain streams — ■ 
creeks they are called — have a charm all their own. White Creek 
runs directly through the village almost from east to west, its banks 
bordered by nature's growth, or placid meadows, as the valley 
widens or narrows. Black Creek runs almost south, and both help 
to swell the larger Battenkill, which enters the Hudson, and so on 
to the sea. 

In the summer when one surveys the valley from a neighboring 
hill the village seems only a mass of waving plumy tree tops, with 
here and there a roof or spire to indicate the dimensions, but in 
winter, clad in snowy robes, it can be more plainly seen, stretching 
its arms toward the lonely farm houses which are scattered through 
the country. 

The drives about Salem are not only remarkably beautiful, but 
unusually numerous; there is not one which does not afford some 
vantage ground for a view of lake or mountain; and it would take 
too long to enter into full details here, but there are several which 
lead to points of special interest — three to the respective lakes of 



PICTURESQUE SALEM 241 

Lauderdale, Cossayuna and Summit or Gifford's, one to the Notch, 
and one, the most attractive of all, to Arlington, along the banks of 
the Battenkill, with the solemn mountains coming ever nearer and 
nearer. 

The road to Lauderdale is, perhaps, the least picturesque of these, 
but it gives you a perfect farming country as you drive south from 
Salem; fields which reach to the hill tops, tell of prosperity and 
industry; Hedges' ponds, all thickly wooded to their shores, are 
passed on the right, and hidden by trees till you are close to it is 
Lauderdale, about two miles long and from a quarter to a half mile 
wide. The hills about it are rolling, and many are cultivated; it is 
very irregular along its shores, and, as one drifts close in to the 
banks, the sudden splash of a water fowl, or leap of a fish, is all 
that disturbs the silence among the bushes and water reeds mirrored 
in its surface. 

Cossayuna lies to the west, the drive is a more hilly one, and the 
views are consequently more extended and lovely, toward every 
point of the compass. The lake itself has the great charm of a high, 
wooded island, and the shores on one side are as wild and unbroken 
as they were years ago. The lake, with its pretty Indian name, 
stretches north and south, as does Lauderdale, for a length of about 
three miles, and Gifford's lake lies still farther west. 

The drive to Arlington, through Camden valley, is one which 
always calls forth, as it deserves, great admiration; following, as it 
does, nearly the whole distance, the mountain stream, through a 
narrow but fertile valley, very winding and full of interest to the 
lover of nature, the aspects of the mountains continually changing, 
it is hard to imagine a more delightful drive. Take it in summer 
when the trees are green, the birds everywhere, and flowers numer- 
ous — or in winter when the snow brings out everything in such 
sharp outline, and the brilliancy of the atmosphere is almost unreal, 
it is, at either season, a scene not often rivaled, even by the drive 
to the Notch, romantic and wild as that is much of the way. But 
we do not need these long drives to show us the picturesqueness of 
Salem; within walking distance of a few minutes, hill tops may be 
reached from whence a lovely outlook may be obtained; from 
Woody Hill, looking north, south or west; from the Quarry Hill, 
looking either north-east or south-east, are views of really notice- 
able worth, while one who better loves the valley, may find exquisite 



242 THE SALEM BOOK 

nooks all along the banks of the creeks, or in the meadows, while 
added interest is given by the unexpected flight of a mud-hen, the 
swift patter of a sand-piper, the sharp clatter of a squirrel, the 
clumsy, yet rapid scuttling of a woodchuck to its hole, or the soft 
murmur of a wood pigeon. 

It may be that the wild flowers of Salem do not belong to the 
" picturesque,'' correctly speaking, and yet we can hardly think of 
our hills and roadsides, our woods and streams, without them. 
They are abundant and of great rarity; from the earliest hepaticas, 
with their fairy cups and delicate tints of mauve, blue and pink, to 
the last brave plume of golden rod, there is no time unbrightened 
by wild flowers. Arbutus grows in many places most abundantly, 
and blood root lies along our roadsides and our fences like 
belated snowdrifts, to be followed in quick succession by dog tooth 
violets or adders' tongues, anemones, columbines, violets, white, 
blue and yellow, of many varieties, and Dutchman's breeches. 
Meadows are golden with marsh marygolds, and in the crannies of 
the rocks are strong and sturdy clumps of sasifrage, while as to the 
white trilliums, the Trinity flowers, they are so white, so large, so 
beautiful about Salem, as to almost demand a chapter to themselves; 
the dark sister, too, the wake-robin, is not wanting, nor Jack-in- 
the-pulpit, Solomon's seal, bell-weed and foam flower, wild iris and 
polygala or flowering wintergreen, the much-loved daisies and but- 
tercups, and many others. As summer advances, and the woods are 
warmer, we find the Moccasin flower, both pink and yellow, and in 
the swamp, the white; masses of rose azalea, and later, the dull pink 
balls of the common milk-weed honey sweet, the orange lillies rear- 
ing their graceful bells in the low meadows rich with their tall 
grasses, the feathery meadow rue, and the stylish but rather course, 
elecampane borders the roadsides, and we look for the four orchids, 
all found within a short distance, Calopogon, Ladies' Kisses, Habe- 
naria and Pogonia. Still later come the jewel-reed, the rich purple 
of the iron-reed, the masses of white clematis clambering every- 
where, and the innumerable varieties of golden rod, while the cardi- 
nal flower flashes in brilliant spikes from many a brook-side, and 
the asters are everywhere. The water lillies are over and the pick- 
erel reed is withered, but the arrow-head still raises its delicate white 
flowers from the ponds and shallow streams. I have not attempted 
to enumerate the flowers which beautify our paths — and lives — 



PICTURESQUE SALEM 243 

only to touch upon them, but one need not return empty-handed 
from any walk or drive, till the frost rests on the orange husk of 
the bitter-sweet berry, and the mountains lie colored in the even- 
ing light under their glistening winter garments of snow and ice, 
and one feels that while Salem scenery in summer is most winning, 
in winter it is most grand. 



244 THE SALEM BOOK 



HISTORIC TREES 



Majestic was the tree which embellished the first page of Salem's 
history; a century's quiet days and nights had so rounded the noble 
form that it, of all the others, was chosen for the center of a home. 
Cruel indeed was the sacrifice, but nature has always yielded to 
man's necessities, and so this monarch of the forest fell at his com- 
mand. It was a table for his cabin which James Turner so greatly 
needed, and around this smoothly sawn trunk the first dwelling 
was raised; there gathered the children where hitherto birds and 
squirrels alone had sought refreshment. Under this New England 
roof, and close beside the Salem tree, stood the grand old Scotch- 
Irishman with his first gospel message to his people here. Among 
them came a bright young girl, whose fearless zeal had drawn her 
seven miles from her fathers home, and her only guide had been 
the blazed trees through the pathless woods. Which of Salem's 
daughters would now think of taking such a long and lonely walk 
to attend a service? 

The second memorable tree was a very large willow which stood 
in the midst of this hamlet, and their histories were woven together; 
the oldest inhabitant remembered it well, for its years numbered 
more than a hundred. Even a tree so long associated with village 
life becomes an object of attachment, so this time-mark stood in 
its glory year after year, carefully guarded from every harm till a 
lightning flash pierced its heart, and the story of life was ended. 

In almost a triangle from the two trees mentioned, stands a sur- 
vivor of much note; through fire and water it indeed has passsed, 
and still is the pride of the village. Tradition states that one sum- 
mer day a cloud burst among the mountains, and torrents of water 
poured into our valley until everything was afloat; so great was 
the excitement and confusion no one noticed, for some time, that 
a stranger had come to town; when the water subsided, a beautiful 
elm was resting on a knoll, waiting for an invitation to abide; whence 



HISTORIC TREES 245 

and how it came no one has ever known, but an admirer of trees, 
the Hon. John McLean, soon took measures for its establishment, 
and there it grew in strength and beauty until one direful night, 
when Salem's enemy, fire, laid almost everything around it in ashes. 
Trees were, of course, a secondary consideration, for many a home 
was destroyed, but after a season it was thought this hardy elm 
might grow, if it survived the necessary amputation; with careful 
hand the limbs were trimmed, and time was left to show the amount 
of its vitality; years have elapsed since then, and the stately elm 
remains a monument to enterprise and determination. 

The hills and dells of this rural town have long been noted for 
their beautiful trees; strangers are always attracted by the variety 
of form and richness of foliage; grand specimens of "nature's art" 
stand here and there, each one having a history. Kindly deeds have 
also been shown by these helpful friends to man; in time of war, 
on one occasion, when the family clock of the Stevenson home was 
thought to have been in danger, a tall oak which grew near by, 
sheltered it next its heart, and no one feared that the dreaded foe 
would ever learn the secret. 

"A brotherhood of venerable trees" have also lent their aid in 
adorning an ancestral home; for more than a century their pleasing 
beauty has added a charm to that much-loved place, but their stories 
none may narrate. The love-life amid their branches, and the tales 
of joy in their shadow. Ah! these are far too sacred for even the 
Salem friends. 

Passing beyond this ancient homestead the eye is pleased with 
the cluster of maples which partly conceal the hall of justice; even 
these have a song to sing, for the widespread havoc which came 
with the axe has more than once threatened their doom, and nothing 
but love of beauty ever preserved their lives. 

Who has forgotten those grave old poplars standing in solemn 
row? It almost seems that they marched away, so silent and sudden 
was their departure. They, too, had a chronicle which vanished 
with them, and we may never learn aught of their trip from Lorn- 
bardy. Their places are filled with elms and maples, but belles and 
beaux now claim their shade, and since this is the case, we will pass 
down and enter the grounds of St. Paul's, where numerous speci- 
mens of native and foreign woods are the lasting reminders of 
unbounded courage and ambition. 



246 THE SALEM BOOK 

The memory of an honored townsman is perpetuated by parallel 
lines of maples leading down to the old White Church; there, too, 
we find historic trees which fain would claim attention, but we must 
hasten on. We glance towards the old academy, but there we see 
them no more; bitter indeed would be their lament could they tell 
us the cause of this desolation. 

The beautiful walk to our sweet Resting-place, was considerately 
planted by one fond of shade; tall and graceful are these drooping 
elms, which seem to weep as the lonely ones sorrowfully pass, but a 
noble group of lofty pines stand on the brow of the hill, clad in 
undying green, and pointing hopefully heavenward. 








V 



RESTING PLACES 247 



RESTING PLACES 



Nothing more manifests the degree of a people's cultivation and 
the height of their spiritual attainment, than the respect and rever- 
ence with which they care for their dead. He who looks upon man 
but as the beast of the field that perishes with death, cannot reason- 
ably be expected to care so tenderly for the cold clay, as does the 
man who regards the grave as but a temporary resting place in the 
accomplishment of an eternal journey. 

The care for the dead and the sanctity with which the people of 
Salem have regarded the grave has not failed to impress the obser- 
ver. Dr. Charles A. Robertson, of Albany, some years ago, in 
writing of Evergreen cemetery, said : " I was not prepared for the 
exhibition of sentiment, taste and public spirit that I observed, but 
I was consequently readily disposed to conceive an admiration for 
the citizens of the town who had thus marked the graves of those 
who had once been of them, and like them, with tasteful tributes 
of love and esteem. In honoring the dead, they had honored them- 
selves in the eyes of all who should recognize their capability of 
appreciating and of giving expression of their appreciation." > 

When the Scotch colony entered the town of Salem, one of the 
first things they did was to set apart a spacious and convenient plot 
of ground as God's acre. The first Christian funeral rites in the 
town of Salem were performed by Dr. Clark over the body of a 
wandering Indian who died in the colonist's camp. It seems sadly 
symbolic of all Indian experience, that the first Christian ceremony 
with which the Indians was confronted was that of burial, for the 
hospitality of the Pale Face seems ever to have led the savage to an 
open grave. 

The first white man to die, and the first buried in the old bury- 
ing ground, was Solomon Barr, the gradfather of Matthew 
McWhorter, with whose family he had his home at the time of his 
death. 



THE SALEM BOOK 

Ir was a long journey that he made from his Irish home, but it 
- scarce finished ere he was called upon to make a longer one. 
Wean - with the toil and strife of a long life, he found a resting place 
in the heart of the American wilderness. 

The title to this old burying ground seems to have been held by 
Scotch hen death came into that primitive com- 

munity there was no thought of creed. The ground was freely open 
to all. Each afflicted one might there find a place to '* bury his 
dead out of his sight" In a century's time five generations passed 
away, and the limits of the old ground were almost reached. It 
became evident, therefore, that despite the many tender associations 
ntiment that bound them to that hallowed spot, the people of 
Salem must seek a new place of burial. After one or more futile 
efforts, through the energy and keen artistic perceptions of the 
lamented William McKie and Dr. Asa Fitch, the beautiful site of 
the Evergreen cemetery was secured. 

Before proceeding to a survey of this cemetery, we may well 
make mention of some of the other resting-places in which the 
mortal remains of Salem's sons and daughters repose. The town 
is to be congratulated that there are in it only two family burying 
grounds. Though they may be carefully tended for a term of yearfe, 
yet it is usually only a question of time till they come to a state of 
confusion and neglect. In addition to these, mention should be 
made of the old Moravian grave yard near Camden, where lies the 
mortal part of that doughty old hero. Abraham Binninger, and 
where formerly there rested the remains of Philip Embury, the 
founder of American Methodism. There is also the East Salem 
burying ground and the Roman Catholic cemetery. This last was 
consecrated with impressive ceremonies by Bishop Lynch, of 
Charlestown. in 1869. 

Returning now to Evergreen cemetery. Through the efforts of 
Dr. Fitch. Judge Allen. Bernard Blair. John M. Wil- 
liams and others, an association for its control was formed March 
5th, 1859. By the association the work of laying out and beautify- 
ing the grounds was intrusted to a committee consisting of Wil- 
liam McKie. Charles Crary. Timothy Cronin and James Gibson. 
This committee was fortunate in securing the services of J. C. Sid- 
nev. of Philadelphia, one of the most talented landscape gardeners 
in the country, and under his supervision the cemetery was laid out 



RESTING PLACES 249 

in that beautiful form which has made it deservedly the pride of the 
entire community. 

The poverty of language is deeply felt in any attempt to describe 
it, or even hint at the beauty of Evergreen cemetery. Its broad, 
evenly kept roads, the velvety green sward, the gently widening 
paths, the stately trees, the luxuriant shrubbery, and the sense of 
languorous stillness which seems to rest heavily upon the whole, 
all combine to afford a vision of unspeakable loveliness. Through 
them Mother Nature speaks the truest and tenderest words of com- 
fort, to hearts lacerated by deepest grief, pointing them to the essen- 
tial beaut}' that is manifested even in the darkest and most mys- 
terious works of God. 

To particularize where there is so much to charm the eye and 
enchain the fancy is difficult, yet there are features which we cannot 
pass unnoticed. 

First of all. as we enter the gateway, out attention is attracted 
by the inscription graven upon a marble slab, placed where it now 
stands by a former president. "\Ye are acquainted with no truer 
poetic picture of the city of the dead: 

' ' Lo, what a motley and incongruous throng. 
In undistinguished fellowship are here. 
Fame, beauty, learning, strength Herculean, 
Rank, honors, fortune, valor or renown, 
What trace is left of ye ? The direst foes 
Here meet in peace — their feuds forever past : 
No burnings of the heart, no envious sneers , 

No covert malice here, or open brawls 
Annoy. All strife is o'er. The creditor 
His debtor no more sues ; for here all debts 
Are paid, — save that great debt incurred by sin 
Which, when the final day of reck'ning shall 
Arrive, cancel' d will be, or paid in full." 

Our country's heroes also sleep here; a goodly company of brave 
and noble men. who " held not their own lives dear. " but answered 
right manfully to duty's call. "They sleep well after life's fitful 
fever." aye. and shall sleep on until the trumpet of God shall summon 
them to rise once more and join the Grand Army of the Redeemed. 

Beautiful and tasteful monuments are to be seen, tributes of love 
and affection, by which the survivors would perpetuate the mem- 
17 



2 5 o THE SALEM BOOK 

ory and the virtues of those who have passed away. The Bancroft 
monument, the Clement mausoleum, the Croft catacombs, and the 
massive block of granite which marks the resting-place of General 
Russell, are but a few of the many striking and impressive witnesses. 

Nor must we forget to speak of " The Strangers Lot." Cer- 
tainly it was a poet, and one who well knew the human heart, who 
placed it where it is. In an out of the way nook, so hidden, that 
any but the keenest observer would pass it by unnoticed, surrounded 
by the tall silent sentinels of the primeval forest, there is to be found 
a level grassy plot of ground where rests the strangers' bones. 
Although of all those they had loved and known, there was not one 
to cheer the dying hour, yet still they were not forsaken. Tender, 
compassionate hands ministered to them, and performed with rever- 
ence, the rites of sepulcher. Surely in this silent spot, we feel the 
pressure of the bond of our one common humanity by which all 
mankind is held. 

Shall we take our leave of Evergreen cemetery from its furthest 
western height? At our feet, below the ragged cliffs, there is the 
dark mass of the pine trees' sombre green; beyond are the fields of 
pasture land and meadow gleaming in emerald; still on, and the eye 
rests upon the dark mountain blue which seems to touch the sky. 
We stand and watch the sun as he slowly sinks beneath the distant 
hills in a bank of ruddy glory, and our soul is filled with an unutter- 
able peace. Have we not here a pictured promise that may bring 
us sweet comfort in our hour of deepest sadness. Although the 
gloom be near, and the mountains far away, yet still 'tis true 

"At even time it shall be light." 














































































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